Tag: AstraZeneca

Alexion and DHL sign Ireland’s first pharmaceutical sustainability partnership to decarbonise freight of medicines

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease and DHL Global Forwarding Freight today announced a new partnership to commence Ireland’s first sustainable fuel deliveries using Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for the pharmaceutical industry.

By converting to HVO fuel, the two companies are aiming to reduce annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) from road freight by up to 90% compared to GHG emissions associated with deliveries using diesel. The partners have identified multiple transport routes within Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Europe, which will all convert from diesel to HVO to deliver medicines manufactured in Alexion’s sites in Athlone and Blanchardstown, Dublin. HVO will be used in DHL’s vehicles on more than 500 deliveries, on an annual basis to 10 countries.

Produced from biomass such as used cooking oils and waste from food manufacture, HVO is a drop-in fuel, meaning it can be used within existing vehicles without compromising operational performance, removing the need for new infrastructure or fleet.

Reducing the GHG emissions associated with the transport of medicinal products is an important part of AstraZeneca’s wider sustainability strategy. This includes a focus on partnerships across the healthcare sector to accelerate the delivery of net-zero health systems, including supply chain decarbonisation. AstraZeneca has set a target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 98% from 2015 base year.[i] From 2030, the aim is to halve the entire value chain footprint (absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions), from a 2019 base year, on the way to becoming science-based net zero by 2045.

Sylvia Kiely Vice President – Global Supply Chain and Product Strategy Lead, Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease said: “Today’s announcement with DHL to move from Diesel to HVO fuel is another milestone in our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, and dependency on fossil fuels within our global supply chain in relation to Scope 3. By working with our partners to extend eco-conscious practices to our full freight network, we can further minimise our environmental impact and dependency on fossil fuels within our global supply chain.”

Maurice Meade, Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding Freight, Ireland, said: “This is another step in the right direction as we strive to run more sustainable operations for

our customers that reduce the inherent Greenhouse emissions in transporting goods. We are delighted to see Alexion be one of the trailblazers to make this significant switch in approach and thereby follow-up on their sustainability goals with clear actions. This initiative perfectly aligns with our sustainability strategy at DHL Group, whereby our aim is to reduce all logistics-related emissions to net-zero by 2050.”

Alexion and Hometree launch three year partnership to accelerate reintroduction of Atlantic Rainforests in Ireland

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, today announced a partnership with Hometree, an environmental charity, to accelerate the regeneration of Atlantic rainforests in Ireland. Launched at Hometree’s site in Avoca, the partnership includes a €90k investment from Alexion to support the reintroduction of rainforest ecosystems across eighteen acres of agricultural land in the Maam Valley, Connemara, Co. Galway.

Once covering 80% of Ireland, natural forests have experienced significant decline over the centuries from agriculture, fuel, and timber industries, leading to significant deforestation. Today less than 1% of Ireland’s ancient woodland cover remains and with only a few fragments of that being Atlantic rainforest, this project will help to restore this globally important habitat.

Within five years of starting the project, early signs of woodland regeneration are expected to be visible, alongside restored peatlands, heath, and species-rich grasslands. After fifteen years, the landscape is predicted to increasingly resemble its original natural state, the most striking feature being the abundance and lushness of mosses, liverworts (collectively known as bryophytes) and ferns.

As the rainforest returns, rocks and boulders will be covered in a luxuriant, vibrant mat of mosses and liverworts or Filmy Ferns (Hymenophyllum species), as will the trunks and branches of the trees. This will, in turn, encourage the animals once native in the area to return, such as the pine marten, wood mouse, and tree creeper.

The partnership reflects Alexion’s commitment to sustainability in Ireland, local communities, and its workforce operating across Dublin and Athlone. Recognising the connection between a healthy planet and healthy people, and as part of an overall sustainability strategy, the company is committed to proactively managing its environmental impact, and investing in nature and biodiversity.

The forest regeneration partnership with Hometree, complements AstraZeneca’s global AZ Forest commitment to plant and maintain 200 million trees across six continents by 2030. Working in partnership with planting experts, local communities and governments, AZ Forest projects are designed to build ecological and community resilience.

Shane Doyle, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Operations and Sustainability, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease said: “Whilst we don’t commonly associate Ireland with rainforests, they are a vital part of our heritage, and restoring these ecosystems is essential for the well-being of both present and future generations. Through this partnership with Hometree we are underscoring our commitment to sustainability in Ireland, and taking affirmative action to reinstate ecosystems that will improve biodiversity, human health, and restore our cultural heritage.”

 Matt Smith, Chief Executive of Hometree said: “I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Alexion, AstraZeneca to restore Atlantic rainforests in Ireland. Their investment fuels practical action, enabling Hometree to restore ecosystems that benefit us all. There is more investment needed and partnership between industry and not-for-profits is central to that, but today we have made a strong start to building a sustainable future, grounded in real impact.

The partnership is timely and follows the passing of the EU Nature Restoration Law which set a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.”

The partnership will also provide Alexion and AstraZeneca employees across Ireland with an opportunity to engage with Hometree through educational programs and volunteer opportunities, fostering a sense of stewardship and environmental responsibility among its 1,200 strong workforce across its Dublin and Athlone sites.