Defeating diabetes is our aspiration. It is more than a business proposition – it is the main driver for our contribution to sustainable development. Taking responsibility is about understanding how to improve the quality of life for people with diabetes and others whose healthcare needs we serve.

In a world where unequal access to resources is widening the poverty gap and offsetting the fragile ecological balance of our planet, there is an urgent need for business to define its role. Novo Nordisk is committed to pursuing its business goals as a profitable enterprise in a way that is socially and environmentally responsible. As a subscriber to the United Nations Global Compact, we share its values and are responding to the Secretary-General’s leadership challenge: harnessing the potential of markets and business leadership by putting values into action.

Recognising that good health is a driver of economic growth, the pharmaceutical industry not only has a particular responsibility to help provide health for all. It also has a unique opportunity to build a sustainable business while at the same time contributing to sustainable development in a global perspective. Today, Novo Nordisk is a world leader in diabetes care. We believe that this is a strong platform from which we can build on our reputation as a responsible corporate citizen.

The Triple Bottom Line reflects an integrated understanding of business performance in which social, environmental and economic bottom lines are interrelated. Seeking to ensure business performance that is socially responsible, environmentally sound and economically viable is how we work. This business principle serves two purposes: to generate long-term profitability and to earn our societal licence to operate and innovate.

One core activity in our strategy for sustainable development is building relationships with key stakeholders in the global, international and local communities of which Novo Nordisk is a part. We engage with stakeholders to reconcile dilemmas and find common ground for more sustainable solutions. We monitor issues and spot trends that may affect our future business. We drive and embed long-term thinking and the Triple Bottom Line mindset throughout the company. And we publicly account for the company’s performance and positions.

Novo Nordisk’s Triple Bottom Line approach is anchored in the company’s corporate governance framework and its fundamental business principles, the Novo Nordisk Way of Management. The constant focus on integrating social and environmental responsibility, human rights issues, and ethical business principles has helped embed this mindset in the organisation. The end goal is for all decision processes in the company to balance these perspectives with commercial objectives. That is what employees are encouraged to do, and they are supported by the management principles and the corporate values. This is no easy task, however, as it often entails weighing long-term gains against short-term results. However, Novo Nordisk believes that to be profitable in the long term, stakeholder concerns must be taken into account. This is how we pursue opportunities and also how we manage risks.

Looking at global trends and the key macro drivers for our business, we have developed two alternative scenarios for the future: progress and change. Integrating scenario planning into our strategic forecasting will help determine how future business models for the pharmaceutical industry might look.