Avalere HealthEnvironmental, social, and governance policy

Avalere Health acknowledges that its day-to-day activities have both direct and indirect environmental effects and is committed to continually improving sustainability efforts. The Group is committed to adopting sustainable business practices to significantly reduce its environmental footprint wherever practical. Sustainability is central to Avalere Health’s mission to promote better health outcomes. By reducing waste and emissions, the Group not only contribute to a healthier planet but also creates positive impacts on public health and environmental wellbeing.

Through responsible decision-making, collaboration, and innovation, the Group aims to reduce negative impact and help build a more sustainable future, by maintaining a comprehensive emissions inventory, setting and tracking Science-Based Targets, and collaborating with clients and suppliers to identify and act on shared sustainability opportunities.

Avalere Health upholds the following commitments with regards to the Environment:

1. Green House Gas Emissions - Avalere Health will maintain an annual inventory of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions covering all areas of our operations and geographies. This inventory will align to industry best practice and incorporate factors such as energy consumption, travel, commuting, waste, and supplier-related emissions, ensuring transparency in our impact. Wherever possible, actual data will be prioritized, with informed estimates applied where necessary.
2. Avalere Health has committed to reducing its Green House gas emissions and has set its own near-term Science Based Targets for Scope 1 & 2 and Scope 3.
   • Avalere Health commits to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 60% by FY2030 from FY2023 baseline year.
   • Avalere Health commits to reduce scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services 55% per USD value added within the same timeframe. Avalere Health further commits that 30% of its suppliers, by emissions covering purchased goods and services will have science-based targets by FY2030.
   • Single use items – Avalere Health is committed to reduce its reliance on single use items. It has taken active steps to remove single use items from its office spaces and encourages all team members to adopt practices that reuse items thus extending their lifecycle for both internal use and use in partnership with our stakeholders.
3. Carbon Offsetting - Avalere Health may adopt responsible carbon offsetting practices, as a complementary strategy to balance unavoidable emissions. Direct emission reductions will however remain the Group’s focus.
4. Facilities/Equipment Management - Avalere Health is committed to sustainability through waste reduction, responsible energy use, and sustainable offsetting. The Group will actively reduce energy use across offices, by:
   • working closely with landlords, suppliers and facility managers; and
   • ensuring that proper recycling systems are in place and clearly communicated to office users to minimize landfill waste.
5. The Group will establish and maintain a structured recycling program for IT hardware and other office equipment, ensuring responsible disposal and reuse wherever possible.
6. Travel - Avalere Health encourages sustainable travel options where possible, such as prioritizing public transportation or direct flights and lower-emission alternatives based on available data. This will be achieved by reducing non-essential travel, promoting virtual collaboration, and supporting employee travel schemes such as Cyclescheme (UK).
7. Supplier Engagement - Avalere Health will actively collaborate with suppliers to identify opportunities for sustainable improvements. Sustainability expectations will be integrated into supplier and contractor partnerships, encouraging them to support our reduction of our Scope 3 emissions, while reducing their own emissions.
8. Client Partnerships - Avalere Health is committed to supporting clients in their sustainability initiatives, whether through reporting, collaboration, or sharing best practices. Where feasible, the Group will align with client sustainability requirements to foster mutual progress in environmental responsibility.
9. Legal Compliance - Avalere Health adheres to all relevant environmental regulations across all countries of operation. The Group will actively seek opportunities to go beyond minimum legal requirements and adhere to sustainability best practices.
10. Governance - The Group’s employee-led Sustainability Committee will drive engagement, encourage grassroots sustainability initiatives, and advocate for sustainable business practices across the business. Avalere Health is committed to providing training and awareness programs to equip employees with the knowledge and tools to contribute to our sustainability efforts effectively. Avalere Health commits to open communication with regards to sustainability across the organization, keeping employees informed about progress and goals to foster engagement. Regular updates will ensure our commitments are visible, actionable, and embedded in the company culture.
11. Reporting - Avalere Health will publish an annual sustainability report outlining emissions data, progress toward Science-Based Targets, and key sustainability initiatives. This report will provide stakeholders with clear insights into the Group’s sustainability journey and highlight any areas of improvement.

Avalere Health recognizes that supporting social and charitable initiatives will help to protect the company’s reputation and build trust with stakeholders. The Group is committed to creating a safe and sustainable working environment for employees. Its commitment is underpinned by key Group policies such as Health & Safety and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as initiatives which promote employee performance and development. The Group aspires to build a working environment that fosters the commitment of suppliers and customers alike, to join us in promoting ethical practices on key topics such as labor practices and working conditions, via the Third Party Code of Conduct.

1. Health & Safety - Avalere Health’s Workplace Team is responsible for overseeing the Group’s Health and Safety. This includes coordinating regular planning meetings, appropriate training and implementation of standard operating procedures to ensure a safe working environment for our teams and locations. The Group uses third party suppliers to maintain and measure adherence to the latest legislation.
2. Supply Chain & Modern Slavery - Avalere Health has an ongoing commitment to working with partners and suppliers and others to improve their ESG credentials. Through training modules and appropriate governance, Avalere Health is committed to identifying and tackling modern slavery issues in the supply chain and with vendors. Avalere Health sets out the expectations of its subcontractors, consultants and suppliers via the Third Party Code of Conduct, that they too must maintain effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery issues are not connected to their supplies and services provided to Avalere Health.
3. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Avalere Health is an equal opportunities employer, treating all teams according to their diverse needs and abilities. The Group does not discriminate against any candidate or employee because of religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, physical or mental disability, or age. Avalere Health’s Chief People Officer (CPO) champions Diversity, Equity & Inclusion alongside the People Leadership Team, Presidents and Employee Network Groups. They regularly monitor and review metrics and strive to enact positive change through policies and processes. The Group is committed to treating employees fairly and equally and monitoring diversity, equity and inclusion, whilst seeking gender balance within our teams at every level.
4. Employee Performance & Development - Avalere Health is committed to the wellbeing and development of its employees. Employee engagement, turnover and exit interview feedback are regularly reviewed to understand employee satisfaction and resources needed across the Group. The Group works to maintain employee engagement through continuous listening and implementing People initiatives that focus on careers, development and connections. A bi-annual survey is conducted, as well as regular listening circles, to measure engagement, gather feedback and communicate messages to all employees. The Group has a dedicated Learning team who seek to ensure employees achieve their goals and maximize their career potential whilst supporting their wellbeing. The Group invest in employee development and training and monitors investment in this area.
5. Philanthropy - Avalere Health makes charitable donations as an organization annually and each office maintains a culture of giving through bake sales, charity runs and other events. Social media channels are used to promote and celebrate awareness days commensurate with our healthcare objectives.

Avalere Health recognizes the importance of good governance, ensuring that the organization and its leadership are accountable for reducing the risk of corruption and enhancing long-term stability. The Group is committed to operating with transparency and upholding ethical business practice, to ensure the Group operates effectively within the law and regulatory environment.

1. Leadership & Management Structures - Avalere Health has the necessary governance and organizational structures in place to provide appropriate levels of oversight in audits, risk management and ensure potential conflicts of interest are appropriately managed. This is supported by a dedicated Compliance function which helps to enhance the review and governance of our operations.
2. Compliance with Legal Policies & Ethical Conduct - Avalere Health Guiding Principles also sets out how we conduct business activities with our staff and our clients. Appropriate teams comprising specialists have been appointed to establish policies that underpin our values and reflect our commitment to conducting our affairs with honesty and integrity. Group policies include but are not limited to:
   • Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABAC)
   • Data Protection (GDPR)
   • Prevention of the Criminal Facilitation of Tax Evasion (CCO)
   • Modern Slavery
   • Employee Code of Conduct
   • Third Party Code of Conduct
   • Group Expenses and Travel
   • Flexible Working
3. All employees receive training on key compliance topics such as Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Modern Slavery, Data Protection, Tax Evasion and Whistleblowing upon commencement of employment and annually thereafter. Policy requirements are reinforced through targeted learning programs and regular communication. Avalere Health commits to timely publication of governance reports, such as Gender Pay reporting and Modern Slavery Statement, on the Group’s Corporate website.
4. Compliance with Pharmaceutical industry Regulations - Avalere Health is committed to understanding the regulations affecting the pharmaceutical industry and works closely with clients to understand and follow their policies and our contractual requirements to ensure that it fully supports them to comply with all laws and regulations relevant to our operations with them. The Group has a training program on core pharmaceutical regulations for all employees directly supporting client business to ensure our understanding and compliance in areas such as adverse event reporting, debarment, healthcare professional disclosure codes and pharmaceutical codes.