Sustainability news
January 2010 -Employee volunteering on the rise
Novo Nordisk’s employees care about their community and conceived and carried out more TakeAction! activities in 2009 than ever before since the launch of the global volunteer programme. Read more
October 2009 - Novo Nordisk wins award for best annual report in Denmark
On 1 October Novo Nordisk received sevaral awards, including the award for best annual report in Denmark, at an award ceremony at the historical stock exchange building in Copenhagen. Read more.
September 2009 - Novo Nordisk improves carbon disclosure
Novo Nordisk’s disclosure score was up by 17 points from 56 in 2008 to 73 in 2009. Read more.
September 2009 - Novo Nordisk among top five in DOW Jones Sustainability Indexes
With 85 out of 100, Novo Nordisk improves its score in this year’s DOW Jones Sustainability Indexes, announced by SAM on 3 September, 2009. Read more.
July 2009 - Novo Nordisk among the world's top 20 sustainable stocks
As the only health care company Novo Nordisk has been listed among the world’s most sustainable stocks. Read more.
June 2009 - Globe Award for sustainability reporting awarded to Novo Nordisk
The Globe Sustainability Reporting Award 2009 was awarded to Novo Nordisk on 3 June by H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. Read more.
May 2009 - ’The Copenhagen Call’: Six Steps for Ambitious Climate Treaty
Tuesday 26 May, global business leaders assembled in Copenhagen at the World Business Summit on Climate Change issued "The Copenhagen Call. Read more.
May 2009 - Diabetes film wins two International Gold Film awards
In May, a diabetes film won two International Gold Film awards at the WorldMediaFestival in Hamburg. Read more
February 2009 - Novo Nordisk among the 100 most sustainable companies world wide
At this year's World Economic Forum held in Davos, Novo Nordisk was once again rated among the 100 most sustainable companies in the world. Read more
October 2008 - Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) 2008: Average score to Novo Nordisk
Monday 22 September, this year’s CDP results were announced in New York. Novo Nordisk scored 56 points out of a maximum of 100. Read more
September 2008 - Novo Nordisk in very close race for supersector leader position in DOW Jones sustainability indices
This year’s global benchmark for the DOW Jones family of sustainability investment indices proved to be tighter than ever. With a score of 84 points out of 100, Novo Nordisk achieved the same high score as in 2007. Read more
April 2008 - New publication on right to health
Novo Nordisk supports the Elders' plege: "Every Human Has Rights". In April 2008 the Elders focus on the Right to Health. Download here
March 2008 - Novo Nordisk Annual Report wins global reporting award in Berlin
On 3 March Novo Nordisk received the Corporate Register Reporting Award 2007 (CRRA07) at a ceremony in Berlin, held in connection with the first Global CR (Corporate Responsibility) Reporting Summit. More than 120 leading corporate responsibility professionals attended the event. Read more
November 2007 - Novo Nordisk promotes global climate dialogue
In two years from now, world leaders will gather in Copenhagen to negotiate a global climate treaty for the coming decades. Recognising the responsibility of business in tackling climate change, Novo Nordisk has joined two international climate dialogue initiatives leading up to the UN Summit in 2009: The Copenhagen Climate Council and ’the Road to Copenhagen’. Read more
June 2007 - Novo Nordisk named one of the ‘world’s most ethical companies’
Novo Nordisk was recently named one of the ‘world’s most ethical companies’ by Ethisphere Magazine. The company was recognised for its strong leadership in ethics and compliance, advancement of industry discourse on social and ethical issues, and positive engagement in the communities in which it operates. Read more
May 2007 - Novo Nordisk rated no 1 in 'Best Places to Work in New jersey'
Up against more than 200 other companies, Novo Nordisk in the US was named this year’s ‘Best Place to Work in New Jersey’. Read more
May 2007 - DONG Energy and Novo Nordisk sign partnership agreement on CO2 reduction
Novo Nordisk is committed to reducing its energy consumption, and a major part of the company’s future electricity consumption in Denmark will be supplied by wind turbines; the Danish energy company DONG Energy will help Novo Nordisk realise the target. That is the essence of a unique partnership agreement signed today by the two companies. Read more
February 2007 - Novo Nordisk among global top 50 low-carbon
Novo Nordisk is rated number 14 on CNBC European Business magazine’s ground-breaking new list ranking the world’s top low-carbon pioneers. Read more
January 2006 - Helping out in times of crisis in local community
Novo Nordisk employees in Pakistan took great responsibility, helping more than 7,000 people after the earthquake by organising free medical camps and establishing Novo Villages. Read more
November 2005 - Accidental releases of GMO materials in Montes Claros
On 15 September 2005, Novo Nordisk had an accidental release of materials containing GMOs – genetically modified organisms - at the production site in Montes Claros, Brazil. The GMOs in question cannot survive outside of their usual protected environment in the laboratory. It is therefore very unlikely that the GMO cells could spread to the external environment, or that they could possibly harm humans. Read more
September 2005 - Novo Nordisk included in Climate Leadership Index
Novo Nordisk has been honoured by the Carbon Disclosure Project, a group of leading institutional investors, as ’Best in Class’ in its approach to addressing the challenge of climate change. Read more
September 2005 - Novo Nordisk's long-standing leadership in sustainability recognised
In Switzerland, Novo Nordisk's president and CEO, Lars Rebien Sørensen was awarded the Sustainability Leadership (SAM) Award by the Sustainability Forum Zürich. Each year, the prize is given to an individual for personal leadership or pioneering work in implementing the principles of sustainability within the private sector. The forum is a public-private partnership that offers business leaders a forum to exchange ideas and experiences with respect to sustainable business models.
September 2005 - Novo Nordisk new Super Sector Leader in Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes
In its 2005 analysis of sustainability leadership, the SAM group announces that it has rated Novo Nordisk a Super Sector Leader in healthcare. Read more
April 2005 - Diversity prize awarded with a royal touch
The MIA prize, which was awarded for the second consecutive year, was established by the Danish Institute for Human Rights with support from the European Union. Lise Kingo accepted the award from HRH Crown Princess Mary. Read more
February 2005 - Novo Nordisk among 100 most sustainable companies
A new global business ranking unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, places Novo Nordisk among the 100 most sustainable companies in the world. Read more
November 2004 - Novo Nordisk singled out in global reporting survey
In a new survey of corporate sustainability reports, Novo Nordisk is ranked second in the world for its ability to identify and manage social and environmental issues as part of ‘how we do business’. Read more
September 2004 - Novo Nordisk takes home two reporting awards
Novo Nordisk has won two Danish awards for its reporting in 2003: 'Best non-financial report' and 'Best annual report among companies listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange and state-owned companies'. Read more
September 2004 - Novo Nordisk again tops Dow Jones’ sustainability indexes
For the third consecutive year, Novo Nordisk is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Indexes (DJSI World) and Dow Jones STOXX Sustainability Indexes (DJSI STOXX). Read more
August 2004 - Accidental releases of GMO materials in Bagsværd
On 17 and 18 August 2004, Novo Nordisk had two accidental releases of materials containing GMOs – genetically modified organisms - at the production site in Bagsværd. Read more
April 2004 - Novo Nordisk receives European award for sustainability reporting
At a ceremony in Brussels in April 2004, Novo Nordisk was given the award for the best European Sustainability Report 2003 by the national associations of state-chartered accountants in 15 countries. It is the sixth time that Novo Nordisk takes home the award. Read more
March 2004 - Lise Kingo interview in Pharmaceutical Executive
In the article “Sustainability drives Pharma’s future” published in the Pharmaceutical Executive in March, Lise Kingo, executive vice president of Corporate Stakeholder Relations, Novo Nordisk A/S, is interviewed about sustainability. Read more
November 2003 - Respondents satisfied with Sustainability Report 2002
Respondents to a survey among shareholders rate Novo Nordisk’s Sustainability Report 2002 very positively and encourage its editors to continue their efforts. Read more
October 2003 - Novo Nordisk rated by Henderson Global Investors
In a report, issued in September, on the world's leading pharmaceutical companies (top 20), Henderson Global Investors has selected Novo Nordisk as one of five sector leaders. Although not among the world’s largest pharma companies, Novo Nordisk was included in the analysis due to our company's reputation on social responsibility. Read more
October 2003 - Genius evaluation
On 21 October, the former Danish Minister for Education, Margrethe Vestager, was among the speakers at a seminar held in The Experimentarium in Hellerup, Denmark. The purpose of this seminar was to evaluate the Genius project – an educational initiative, which aims at generating a debate on genetic engineering among young people. Read more
October 2003 - Novo Nordisk receives reporting award
Novo Nordisk's Sustainability Report 2002 has been selected as best Sustainability Report for 2003 by FSR (The Danish Association of Chartered Accountants) and the Danish financial newspaper Børsen. Read more
September 2003 - Novo Nordisk tops Dow Jones’ sustainability indexes
For the second year in a row, Novo Nordisk has ranked highly on two respected sustainability stock indexes. Read more
September 2003 - Novo Nordisk nominated for the Carl Bertelsmann Prize
The German Bertelsmann Foundation has nominated Novo Nordisk for the 2003 Carl Bertelsmann Prize, which recognises exemplary corporate culture. Read more
August 2003 - Novo Nordisk makes SustainableBusiness top 20 list
SustainableBusiness.com, a group of leading US investors and asset managers, has selected Novo Nordisk as one of 20 on the 'World’s Top Sustainability Stocks'. Read more
May 2003 - Novo Nordisk chairman invited by Australian government to discuss TBL
Chairman of the Board of Novo Nordisk A/S, Mads Øvlisen, meets with the Honourable John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia, and government officials in the nation’s capital, Canberra. Read more
March 2003 - New clinic brings diabetes care to thousands in Tanzania
On 1 March, Novo Nordisk’s CEO Lars Rebien Sørensen officially opened a new diabetes clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Read more
November 2002 – Bioethics Director at Novo Nordisk named “Friend of the Animals 2002”
The Danish Animal Welfare Society presented its prestigious ‘Friend of the Animals 2002’ prize to Bioethics Director, Hanne Gürtler, for her work toward better living conditions for the 50,000 animals used in Novo Nordisk research. Read more
November 2002 - Novo Nordisk singled out for world class sustainability reporting
In a global survey, launched 18 November, Novo Nordisk is one of the 'magnificent seven' companies that in their recent sustainability reports demonstrate leadership in action. Read more
October 2002 - Novo Nordisk wins award for best Sustainability report
Novo Nordisk has been awarded by FSR (The Danish Association of Chartered Accountants) and the Danish financial newspaper Børsen.for having published the best Danish Sustainability report in 2002. Read more
October 2002 - Award-winning video now available online
The World Diabetes Foundation's film "Access to Health" has won first prize in the Futuroscope European Corporate Film Festival. The film describes the magnitude of problems facing people with diabetes in the developing world through visits to three countries: Tanzania, India and El Salvador.
September 2002 - Earth Summit workshop: Rebuilding trust that has been lost
Trust building between business, government and NGOs demands new approaches. And both business and government must change the way they operate in order to address the challenge of sustainable development effectively. This was one of the conclusions, which emerged from a workshop on trust and transparency held in Johannesburg during the Earth Summit. Read more
September 2002 - Novo Nordisk moves to top spot among pharmaceuticals in global index
Novo Nordisk has been selected as an index component for Dow Jones Sustainability World Indexes (DJSI World) and Dow Jones STOXX Sustainability Indexes (DJSI STOXX). In the DJSI World, Novo Nordisk tops the pharmaceuticals industry group. Read more
September 2002 - WDF and Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs team up
The Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Danish International Development Assistance agency (DANIDA) and the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) today signed a memorandum of understanding to work together toward preventing diabetes and its long-term complications in developing countries. Read more
August 2002 - Workshop on trust and transparency in Johannesburg
On the occasion of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Novo Nordisk and the University of Cambridge Programme for Industry host a workshop in Johannesburg entitled: When Trust is Challenged: Dilemmas and Opportunities in Corporate Transparency. Read more
May 2002 - Novo Nordisk rated industry leader
Storebrand's Socially Responsible Research unit has rated Novo Nordisk industry leader among 52 pharmaceutical companies. Novo Nordisk receives the highest score on Storebrand's social index, beating its sector colleagues by a wide margin' and ranks second place in the environmental index. Read more
April 2002 - ADA honours Novo Nordisk for World Diabetes Foundation
Novo Nordisk was celebrated at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Annual Recognitions gala dinner in New York City for its establishment of the World Diabetes Foundation, which is dedicated to improving diabetes care in developing nations. CEO Lars Rebien Sørensen accepted the honour on behalf of Novo Nordisk.
April 2002 - Novo Group wins European award for best sustainability report
In a tough contest among leading European companies, Novozymes and Novo Nordisk have won the European Environmental Reporting Award for "Best Sustainability Report in Europe". The joint Novo Group report for 2000, "Values in a Global Context" was highlighted as "one of the best examples of a sustainability report that balances economic, social and environmental elements," and "the report is considered to be one against which others will want to benchmark their performance." Read more
April 2002 - Novo Nordisk executive receives Edinburgh Medal
Lise Kingo, executive vice president of Novo Nordisk, has been honoured at the Edinburgh International Science Festival, where she received the Edinburgh Medal for pioneering a socially and environmentally responsible approach to business. Read more
March 2002 - Novo Nordisk publishes Triple Bottom Line report
Novo Nordisk has published its 2001 Triple Bottom Line report. The new report, Dealing with dilemmas, presents some of the key issues for Novo Nordisk as a pharmaceutical company, as a global player and as an employer of choice. It also accounts for achievements made and initiatives launched during the year with regard to social and environmental responsibility and economic viability.
January 2002 - Novo Nordisk to assess suppliers' social performance
Novo Nordisk is extending its commitment to sustainable development with the launch of a formal evaluation of the social performance of the company's suppliers. Suppliers and contractors are expected to ensure that their employees are adequately protected according to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Read more
November 2001 - Novo Nordisk launches World Diabetes Foundation
Novo Nordisk has announced that it will establish the World Diabetes Foundation to support, financially and otherwise, projects aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge of diabetes; preventing, diagnosing and treating diabetes; educating and training health professionals; improving distribution of medicine; and improving access to proper diabetes care. Read more
November 2001 - Novo Nordisk included in global sustainability index
Novo Nordisk is among the select list of companies included in the first global share index on sustainable companies - that is, companies managed through an integrated focus on financial, social and environmental performance - The Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index. The index is a joint venture between Dow Jones Company and SAM Sustainability Group. Read more
November 2001 - Novo report selected for benchmark study
PricewaterhouseCoopers, the international accounting and management consulting company, has included the latest Novo Group Environmental Environmental and Social report, Values in a Global Context, in a global benchmark study of so-called ValueReporting.
October 2001 - Novo wins award for best sustainability report
The companies in the Novo Group maintain the position as best in class, when it comes to non-financial reporting. For the second consecutive year, the Danish Association of Chartered Accountants and the Danish business daily, Børsen, have pointed to Novo as the winner of "best sustainability report" for the 2000 environmental and social report "Values in a Global Context" published this Spring. Read more
September 2001 - Novo Nordisk joins the Nordic Partnership
The Novo Group - Novo Nordisk and Novozymes - has joined the Nordic Partnership, both as a member and major sponsor. Nordic Partnership aims to develop a model for driving sustainability in business. The model - Business Drivers for Sustainability - will be developed during 2001 and presented to Kofi Annan, UN secretary-general, at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in South Africa in September 2002. Read more
April 2001 - Novo Nordisk wins prestigious reporting award
Novo Nordisk has received a prize for having issued the best integrated environmental and social report in Europe. The event is organized by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and Novo Nordisk was awarded for its 1999 environmental and social report, 'Values in Action'. The prestigious award was given to four companies who in each their category have prepared excellent reports. Read more
December 2000 - UNEP recognizes Novo Nordisk as global leader
In their first Global Survey on Sustainability Reporting, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and SustainAbility, the London-based think tank and consultancy, recognize Novo Nordisk as a winner, together with the British Airport Administration, BAA. The survey assesses how well companies' communication about sustainability issues allows readers to make judgements about their commitments, management quality and performance towards sustainable development. Read more
October 2000 - Novo Nordisk awarded for best sustainability report
Novo Nordisk has received the award for the best Danish sustainability report in year 2000. The newly launched award was given by the Danish financial newspaper Børsen and the Danish Association of State-authorised Public Accountants and handed over by Steen Gade, Director General of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Read more
October 1999 - Novo Nordisk excluded from competition
After having won the Green Accounting Award in Denmark three years in a row, Novo Nordisk was excluded from this year's competition because of a new rule that prize-winners cannot participate the next year, but automatically get a seat on the jury. However, Novo Nordisk was honoured for its first Social Report - with a bouquet of flowers as visible evidence that, in this area, too, Novo Nordisk is setting a new standard for alternative accounts. Read more
August 1999 - Novo Nordisk wins EAA award
Novo Nordisk does it again. For the past three years, the European Accountants' Association has awarded a prize for the Best Environmental Report of the year, and Novo Nordisk's Environment and Bioethics Report has won it every time. The award was given for the reporting and information provided about its environmental work. Read more
