Smith & Nephew, a leading global medical technology company, is headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1856, the company has established itself as a key player in the orthopaedics, advanced wound management, and sports medicine sectors. With a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, Smith & Nephew is renowned for its innovative products, including advanced wound dressings and joint reconstruction solutions. The company’s commitment to research and development has led to significant milestones, such as the introduction of pioneering surgical instruments and biologics. Smith & Nephew's unique offerings, like the PICO™ negative pressure wound therapy system, set it apart in the competitive landscape. Recognised for its quality and reliability, Smith & Nephew continues to enhance patient outcomes and maintain a strong market position in the medical technology industry.
How does Smith Plus Nephew's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Medical Device Manufacturing industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Smith Plus Nephew's score of 90 is higher than 94% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Smith & Nephew reported total carbon emissions of approximately 667,620,000 kg CO2e globally, with significant contributions from Scope 3 emissions, which accounted for about 99% of the total. Specifically, Scope 1 emissions were about 12,794,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 2 emissions (market-based) were approximately 11,868,000 kg CO2e. In the UK, the company reported Scope 1 emissions of about 5,038,000 kg CO2e and Scope 2 emissions (location-based) of approximately 3,497,000 kg CO2e. The company has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for an 80% absolute reduction in total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This target includes a near-term goal of achieving a 70% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2025, using 2019 as a baseline. To support these goals, Smith & Nephew plans to implement 100% renewable electricity at its facilities in Memphis and Malaysia by 2022, expanding to all strategic manufacturing sites by 2025. Additionally, Smith & Nephew aims to achieve net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2040 and net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2045. These commitments reflect a comprehensive approach to sustainability, focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy sourcing. The emissions data and reduction targets are sourced directly from Smith & Nephew plc, with no cascading from a parent organization.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 10,123,000 | 00,000,000 | - | - | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 67,559,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
Smith Plus Nephew's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 48% last year and decreased by approximately 59% since 2021, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 73% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Smith Plus Nephew has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
