Roche Holding AG (China) – Wenchuan Zhang – 2025

Summary

Wenchuan Zhang supported Roche Suzhou’s sustainability planning by advancing certification compliance, data systems, and a long-term CO’ reduction strategy.

Goals

Wenchuan Zhang joined Roche Diagnostics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. as a Climate Corps Fellow to support the company’s sustainability strategy and decarbonization efforts. With the site achieving 100% renewable electricity in 2024, her fellowship focused on compliance of energy sourcing, improving data systems for emissions tracking, and designing a comprehensive CO’ reduction roadmap to align with Roche’s global climate targets.

Solutions

Zhang approached the challenge through three main projects. She first reviewed biomass certification criteria under the top-level Directive to confirm that Roche’s purchased renewable electricity met recognized green energy standards. She then validated 2023 energy and emissions data, integrated 2024 targets, and reorganized the CO’ reduction opportunity list in consultation with project owners to ensure feasibility and alignment. Finally, she calculated 2024 Scope 1 and 2 emissions, analyzed trends from 2019-2024, and helped design a 2024-2029 CO’ roadmap with 24 identified reduction measures, each assessed for cost-effectiveness and emission reduction potential.

Potential Impact

Her work provided Roche with a clearer and more credible accounting of its carbon footprint, a refined system for tracking opportunities, and a structured pathway for achieving near and long-term emission reduction targets. The roadmap strengthens decision-making, supports investment prioritization, and positions the Suzhou site to align with Roche’s global commitments under the Science Based Targets initiative. Beyond organizational impact, Zhang developed skills in data analysis, sustainability strategy, and cross-department collaboration, bridging her policy background with technical energy management.