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Environmental Stewardship

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Our approach to more environmentally sustainable clinical trials

Driving more environmentally sustainable clinical trials is crucial for reducing the ecological impact of research and development activities in the health care industry. By implementing more sustainable practices, organizations can reduce waste generation, energy consumption, and carbon emissions associated with clinical trial operations. This can be achieved through various strategies such as adopting green procurement practices, optimizing trial site selection to reduce travel and transportation, implementing efficient waste management systems, and utilizing sites powered by renewable energy sources. Additionally, incorporating digital technologies and virtual trial models can further reduce the need for physical resources and travel while maintaining the integrity of data collection. By prioritizing environmental sustainability in clinical trials, organizations can contribute to the preservation of our planet’s resources and create a more sustainable future for the healthcare industry.

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We are taking action today

AES is taking action and developing solutions to reduce the environmental impact of your clinical trials

Greener Patient Travel – In select geographies, we can incorporate greener alternatives for patient travel such as electric vehicles and hybrids and/or encourage public transportation through patient stipends to reduce emissions per patient site visit.

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We are progressing to a single eSource platform to enable remote monitoring by CRAs – reducing travel emissions and cost as well as paper usage.

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Our sites were found to be up to 68% closer to where patients live compared to traditional sites, reducing patient burden and transportation emissions. 1

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Microsampling – By allowing patients to take their own blood samples, potential visits to the site can be eliminated using microsampling solutions, which even with shipping emissions, significantly reduce emissions by up to 95% 2

Renewable power – Fifteen of our sites were powered by 100% renewable electricity in 2023, reducing carbon emissions by over 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). Additional sites will transition to 100% as we continue to accelerate the adoption of renewable electricity.

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Carbon footprint transparency – We are expanding our capabilities to measure the emission impact of our clinical trial activities.

AES is a contributing member and Partner with Pistoia Alliance to develop a carbon emissions calculator to model greenhouse gas emissions hotspots.

We are participating in the United Eco-Skies Alliance sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program and are also evaluating the use of SAF with our shipping couriers to reduce carbon emissions from air travel and shipping.

One Patient, One Tree

As part of our continued commitment to the environment, and through our partnership with One Tree Planted, we will plant a tree for every patient enrolled at one of our sites. One Tree Planted is a nonprofit organization focused on global reforestation. Since 2014, they have planted more than 100 million trees in over 80 countries around the world. By partnering with One Tree Planted, we are raising awareness for the importance of greener clinical trials. As a leading provider of clinical trial recruitment and site network organization committed to environmental sustainability, we believe that planting the seeds of change now will benefit future generations.

Contact us to discuss how we can support your clinical trial needs