In a world where corporate promises often falter in the face of complex climate realities, Henry Schein, Inc.—the global leader in healthcare solutions for office-based medical and dental practitioners—has made a bold, measurable, and verified commitment that’s nothing short of revolutionary. As of April 2025, the company has officially received validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its net-zero science-based targets, confirming that Henry Schein is not only talking the sustainability talk but is walking it, all the way to 2050 and beyond.
This milestone positions Henry Schein not only as a healthcare industry giant, but as a global role model for environmentally responsible corporate citizenship.
A Culture Rooted in Sustainability
“Sustainability is deeply rooted in our corporate culture, and we understand our role in mitigating our environmental impact, as climate change is one of today’s most important sustainability issues.”
— Jennifer Kim Field, Chief Sustainability Officer, Henry Schein, Inc.
That quote from Jennifer Kim Field doesn’t just ring true—it resonates deeply within a company that has embedded social and environmental responsibility into its corporate DNA. Since joining the Business Ambition for 1.5⁰C campaign in 2021, Henry Schein has strategically integrated climate action into its operations, customer engagement, and innovation streams.
Their vision? To make the world healthier, together—not just through care delivery, but by creating the conditions for a sustainable, climate-resilient future that supports public health and equity.
The Science-Based Targets That Set the Gold Standard
Let’s break down what Henry Schein’s SBTi-approved targets actually mean. These are not vague intentions or marketing gimmicks—they are quantified, time-bound, and science-aligned.
Near-Term Goals (by 2030):
- 42% absolute reduction in Scope 1 GHG emissions (direct emissions from owned or controlled sources)
- 100% renewable electricity sourcing (up from 0% in 2022)
- 51.6% reduction in Scope 3 GHG emissions per million USD of value added (from 2022 levels)
Net-Zero Long-Term Targets (by 2050):
- 90% absolute reduction in Scope 1 emissions
- Continuation of 100% renewable electricity sourcing
- 97% reduction in Scope 3 emissions per million USD of value added
These figures are astounding not just in ambition, but in feasibility—because they’ve been backed by strategy, structure, and, most importantly, external scientific validation.
Why This Matters: Connecting Healthcare and Climate Action
Henry Schein is part of an industry deeply intertwined with the health consequences of climate change. From the increased burden of respiratory illnesses due to air pollution, to heat-related deaths and the spread of vector-borne diseases, climate change is a health crisis as much as it is an environmental one.
Their decision to green their operations, reduce emissions, and shift to renewables isn’t just corporate responsibility—it’s public health advocacy. The message is clear:
You can’t have healthy people without a healthy planet.
As a global distributor of medical products and a trusted partner to over 1 million healthcare professionals, Henry Schein has the reach and responsibility to inspire systemic change across the healthcare ecosystem.
Corporate Power, Purposefully Used
With over 25,000 Team Schein Members and operations across 33 countries and territories, Henry Schein is more than a healthcare supply chain behemoth. It’s a corporate ecosystem of influence.
Its $12.7 billion in 2024 sales, distributed through a meticulously automated and centralized logistics network, make it one of the most efficient healthcare distribution models on the planet. But the company isn’t resting on its operational laurels. It’s now leveraging this vast infrastructure to drive decarbonization, promote sustainable procurement, and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
This isn’t just a green policy; it’s a transformational business strategy.
A Call to Collaborate: No One Solves This Alone
In her statement, Jennifer Kim Field emphasized collaboration as key to success:
"Our validated science-based targets bring us closer to realizing our Company’s mission to make the world healthier, together – which needs to be done in collaboration with health care professionals in order to have a healthier planet for healthier people."
This sentiment underscores a growing movement across industries: that achieving net-zero is not a solo mission, but a collaborative global responsibility. As Henry Schein partners with hospitals, clinics, suppliers, and policymakers, they’re demonstrating how networked sustainability can achieve what isolated action cannot.
CSR in Action: Not Just a Department, But a Mindset
Henry Schein’s validation by SBTi shows what true CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) looks like in 2025:
- It’s science-based, not PR-driven.
- It’s company-wide, not isolated in one department.
- It’s long-term and transparent, not reactive or performative.
- And most importantly, it’s about people and the planet, not just profits.
Through its CARES Report, partnerships with global climate initiatives, and commitment to ESG transparency, Henry Schein continues to set the pace for sustainability leadership in healthcare—and beyond.
View Henry Schein’s 2023 CARES Report
Final Thoughts: A Blueprint for the Future
In a time when many corporations are content with “net-zero by press release,” Henry Schein is charting a different course—verified, quantified, and values-led. Their net-zero target is not just a climate milestone. It’s a blueprint for what all purpose-driven companies should aspire to:
- Be bold in vision
- Be precise in commitment
- Be transparent in progress
- Be relentless in execution
As the planet races toward its tipping points, the healthcare industry has a vital role to play—not just in healing people, but in healing the planet. Henry Schein’s journey shows that this is not only possible—it is already happening.
Bravo, Team Schein. The world is healthier because you care.
Stay tuned for more CSR success stories every Monday right here on AmazingHour.com. Let these examples inspire your organization’s own journey toward purpose, progress, and planetary care.
Thank you for reading!
