Internal EHS Partnerships: Collaborating to Advance Sustainability

Organization Partner	Activities
Corporate Communications	Plan, develop, distribute and solicit feedback on Baxter's annual sustainability report Coordinate sustainability-related communications with public, media and other external groups Engage external stakeholders through speaking engagements, presentations, articles and exhibitions Support the planning and execution of Baxter World Environment Week
Cross-Functional Global Threat Management Team	Help protect employee health and safety and business continuity in the event of a crisis
Device Center of Excellence	Collaborate with Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) on Product Sustainability Review assessments for all new Baxter medical devices Implement a new global product stewardship database
European Operations	Incorporate green building design principles and technologies at several facilities, such as operations in Rome, Vienna and Zurich Address emerging European Union product stewardship requirements
Executive Management	Participate in executive-level Sustainability Steering Committee Sponsor specific sustainability initiatives Provide leadership and resources to employees, functions and groups to implement sustainability initiatives
Facilities Engineering Services / Corporate Energy Management Group	Identify, prioritize and support cost-effective energy conservation, alternative power generation and renewable energy projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Promote water conservation Incorporate green building design principles and technologies into new, leased and renovated facilities
Facility Management	Strengthen safety culture and increase accountability for safety Apply lean manufacturing principles to reduce resource use (with a recent focus on water conservation)
Finance	Advise on financial and tax considerations related to sustainability
Human Resources	Developed and deployed BeWell@Baxter, the company's health and wellness program Include sustainability and EHS questions in Baxter Culture Survey to facilitate internal and external benchmarking Promote employee knowledge of and engagement in sustainability
Information Technology	Support use of new EHS web-based information management system to enhance Baxter's global EHS data management and reporting capabilities Explore energy conservation opportunities for information technology equipment
Purchasing and Supplier Management	Pursue more fuel-efficient sales fleet vehicles and less GHG-intensive means of product transport Manage Baxter's Global Supplier Sustainability Program Define and manage specific energy purchasing initiatives Manage global logistics data to help Baxter understand the carbon footprint of its broader business activities and supply chain
Research and Development (R&D)	Educate R&D staff on sustainability issues to identify product development opportunities Explore new business models and products to serve potential customers at the base of the pyramid (BoP)*
Sales and Marketing	Inform customers about Baxter's sustainability initiatives Respond to customer inquiries related to sustainability Identify opportunities to improve the environmental performance of certain products and develop green marketing strategies (such as for AVIVA and FLEXBUMIN)

The term "base of the pyramid" refers to the approximately 4 billion people who live on less than $1,500 annually and have limited access to the healthcare market. Companies developing and marketing products and services have typically overlooked this group, instead targeting people with more money to spend at the "top of the pyramid." In recent years, more companies have extended products to the "middle of the pyramid," often referred to as an "emerging economy" strategy.

Priorities in This Section

Safe and Healthy Workplace Carbon Footprint Natural Resource Use

Case Study:
Baxter's Energy Managers Convene Virtual Conference

Case Study:
Baxter's Aibonito, Puerto Rico, Facility Demonstrates Environmental Best Practices