Philip Morris International Recognized for Sustainability Action and Ambition in ‘50 Sustainability and Climate Leaders’ Project

The international business community demonstrated the project "50 Sustainable and Climate Leaders", documentary short films highlight effective sustainability action from the leading companies.

Films represented in the project are demonstrating leadership and will to take effective action in six subject areas: energy transition, climate finance, and carbon pricing, industry transition, nature-based solutions, cities, and local action, and resilience.

Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) was recognized as one of the 50 leaders for its actions and ambitions for sustainable development. It is the only cigarette company working towards phasing out cigarettes, both from its company and the world. PMI is convinced that its vision of a smoke-free future is both achievable and compatible with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, yet it recognizes that the reputational deficit it faces as a company, in particular, and as an industry, in general, makes society (at best) cautiously optimistic of its purpose. As it transforms its business, PMI knows that one of its key challenges is, and will continue to be, earning the trust of its stakeholders and society as a whole.

For the company, sustainability is an integral part of the company’s business strategy. Replacing cigarettes with better alternatives sits at the core of its strategy while addressing sustainability challenges across its value chain and seizing opportunities to add value to society. 

“Three years ago, PMI made a commitment to a future without cigarettes—a smoke-free future—and we are actively transforming our business to deliver on this promise. Our smoke-free vision, and company’s purpose, is about creating a business that brings a positive societal change, and therefore, is much more sustainable,” said Huub Savelkouls, PMI’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

The project organizers say they aim to urge even more international companies to take active action in response to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The international business community demonstrated the project "50 Sustainable and Climate Leaders", documentary short films highlight effective sustainability action from the leading companies.

Films represented in the project are demonstrating leadership and will to take effective action in six subject areas: energy transition, climate finance, and carbon pricing, industry transition, nature-based solutions, cities, and local action, and resilience.

Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) was recognized as one of the 50 leaders for its actions and ambitions for sustainable development. It is the only cigarette company working towards phasing out cigarettes, both from its company and the world. PMI is convinced that its vision of a smoke-free future is both achievable and compatible with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, yet it recognizes that the reputational deficit it faces as a company, in particular, and as an industry, in general, makes society (at best) cautiously optimistic of its purpose. As it transforms its business, PMI knows that one of its key challenges is, and will continue to be, earning the trust of its stakeholders and society as a whole.

For the company, sustainability is an integral part of the company’s business strategy. Replacing cigarettes with better alternatives sits at the core of its strategy while addressing sustainability challenges across its value chain and seizing opportunities to add value to society. 

“Three years ago, PMI made a commitment to a future without cigarettes—a smoke-free future—and we are actively transforming our business to deliver on this promise. Our smoke-free vision, and company’s purpose, is about creating a business that brings a positive societal change, and therefore, is much more sustainable,” said Huub Savelkouls, PMI’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

The project organizers say they aim to urge even more international companies to take active action in response to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.