Baxter Reimagines Its Future with Ambitious New Sustainability Strategy

DEERFIELD, IL – June 22, 2026 – Global medtech leader Baxter International Inc. today charted a decisive new course for its future, publishing a landmark 2025 Sustainability Report that details a refreshed strategy, ambitious climate targets, and a reinforced commitment to social impact. The report signals a significant evolution in the company’s approach, integrating sustainability more deeply into its core business model to drive long-term value and address global challenges.

For nearly a century, Baxter has operated under its mission to Save and Sustain Lives. This new chapter builds directly on that legacy. “As we shape Baxter’s next chapter, our focus remains clear: making a meaningful difference for patients, customers and communities while working to create long‑term value for all stakeholders,” said Andrew Hider, president and chief executive officer. “The progress captured in this report is the result of the dedication of Baxter colleagues who bring our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives to life every day.”

The company’s refined sustainability strategy is organized around three core pillars: Deliver Sustainable Healthcare, Advance Climate & Resiliency, and Champion People & Communities. This framework replaces a previous set of 2030 commitments with a new, more forward-looking series of goals designed to accelerate progress and enhance accountability.

A New Era of Climate Action and Resiliency

At the heart of Baxter's refreshed strategy is a powerful new set of climate commitments that position the company as a leader within the healthcare sector. Baxter has set a target to achieve Net-Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its direct operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2050. Crucially, this goal is aligned with a 1.5⁰ Celsius science-based target, representing a significant increase in ambition from its previous “well-below 2⁰ Celsius” target and aligning with the latest recommendations from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

To power this transition, the company has also pledged to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2040. This places Baxter on a competitive footing with industry peers, some of whom have earlier targets but demonstrate the company's serious intent to decarbonize its extensive global operations. Recognizing that a significant portion of its environmental footprint lies within its supply chain, Baxter is also tackling Scope 3 emissions. The company has set a target for 80% of its supplier spend in priority categories to be with suppliers that have their own science-based targets by 2030. This goal is comparable to those set by other industry giants like Johnson & Johnson and reflects a growing trend of cascading climate responsibility through the value chain.

These goals are not just pledges but are part of a broader effort to build resilience into the healthcare system. By investing in renewable energy, reducing emissions, and promoting sustainability among its partners, Baxter aims to ensure the reliable delivery of its life-saving products and therapies, even in the face of climate-related disruptions.

Redefining Governance and Leadership

To steer this ambitious agenda, Baxter has fundamentally strengthened its governance structure. A key move was the establishment of the company’s first chief sustainability officer role in 2025, with the appointment of veteran sustainability leader Renae Kezar. With extensive experience from roles at Johnson Controls and Avery Dennison, Kezar brings deep expertise in driving environmental and social change within large, complex organizations. Her appointment, along with the creation of a new dedicated sustainability team, signals that sustainability is now a C-suite priority, integrated directly into the company’s strategic planning and its new Baxter Growth and Performance System (GPS).

“When I joined Baxter as its first chief sustainability officer, I saw firsthand a culture grounded in care, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to patients,” said Renae Kezar, chief sustainability officer. “Sustainability is essential to enabling resilient healthcare delivery. Our sustainability strategy is designed to help ensure safe, reliable care while addressing the challenges facing healthcare and communities globally.”

This new leadership structure is designed to enhance coordination and accountability across the enterprise. It ensures that the company's sustainability goals are not siloed within a single department but are embedded in every facet of the business, from manufacturing and supply chain logistics to product innovation and financial planning. The recent addition of Tiffany Zack as Director of Sustainability further bolsters the team's capabilities in embedding these principles into daily operations.

Championing People and Communities

Beyond its environmental commitments, Baxter's refreshed strategy places a profound emphasis on its social impact. The “Champion People & Communities” pillar is backed by significant investment and ambitious goals aimed at fostering well-being for employees and making a tangible difference in underserved communities worldwide.

In 2025 alone, Baxter and the Baxter Foundation contributed over $32 million through a combination of strategic partnerships, product donations, and employee matching gifts. The Baxter Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, engages in multi-year partnerships with major global organizations to increase access to healthcare, support STEM education, and build community resilience. A recent example includes a collaboration with Direct Relief on the Transformative Innovation Awards in Community Health, which provided $750,000 to organizations focused on nutrition programs.

Looking forward, the company is mobilizing its 37,500-strong workforce to be a force for good. Baxter has set a new goal to achieve 100,000 employee volunteer hours by 2031. This initiative complements a previously established goal to invest $275 million by 2030 in underserved communities, demonstrating a long-term, multifaceted approach to corporate citizenship. These efforts underscore the company's belief that its success is intrinsically linked to the health and prosperity of the communities it serves around the globe.