What Does Pfizer Have to Say About Fossil Fuels and Disease?

Oct 6, 2022 | Corporate Insights, No Bull Economics

•In a special call, Pfizer reported a shift in vector-borne diseases which are now reaching much larger geographies.

•Vectors like mosquitoes, ticks & fleas can carry infective pathogens (viruses, bacteria, protozoa & parasitic worms) and can transfer pathogens to other animal/human hosts by biting or bloodsucking.

•Vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700k+ deaths annually. This includes Malaria which is a parasitic infection transmitted by Anopheline mosquitoes that cause 219MM cases globally, resulting in 400k deaths every year (most deaths occur in children <5 years old). The burden of these diseases is highest in tropical & subtropical areas and disproportionately affects the poorest populations.

•Climate change, particularly temperature extremes & precipitation patterns, is affecting the geographic distribution, seasonality, and incidence of vectors & the diseases they transmit

•Pfizer also notes that air pollution is a contributing factor to respiratory illnesses.

•The company’s ESG goal set in 2020 was to procure 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2030. Also, Pfizer has committed to attaining net zero emissions by the end of 2040.

•In any case, Pfizer hopes to enforce the largest impact on its supply chain (including thousands of global suppliers) which produces 4x of its own emissions.

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