AstraZeneca Switzerland has successfully completed the transition to a fully electric vehicle fleet - ahead of schedule and as one of the first countries within the Group to do so. With this step, the company is making an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. However, the global sustainability goals go beyond this. AstraZeneca sees the climate crisis as a health crisis and has set itself ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to protect health and the environment in the best possible way. By 2030, the company wants to become CO2-negative with a variety of measures, i.e. save more CO2 than it emits.
With its fully electric vehicle fleet, AstraZeneca Switzerland is reaffirming its commitment to sustainable mobility and climate protection and emphasising its pioneering role in the healthcare sector with regard to climate protection. Road transport is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. A transformation of the transport sector is therefore urgently needed, and electric cars play a central role in this.
In Switzerland, the entire sales force is electric. «Knowing full well that the switch to electric cars poses challenges, we supported our employees in installing wallboxes in their homes. Among other things, this involved revising local guidelines», explains Ioana Crisan, Chief Financial Officer of AstraZeneca Switzerland.
Holistic sustainability strategy with ambitious targets
With over 10'000 electric cars worldwide, AstraZeneca is leading the pharmaceutical industry in the field of e-mobility. The switch to electric vehicles is a central component of the global sustainability strategy, which goes beyond electromobility. It includes comprehensive, science-based measures to reduce CO2 emissions along the entire value chain, as AstraZeneca aims to become CO2-negative globally by 2030, i.e. to save more CO2 than it emits.
Focus on the entire ecosystem: from «green meeting standards» to 100% green electricity
AstraZeneca Switzerland pursues an approach that takes into account the ecosystem of the entire company. Business air travel is minimized in line with strict emission targets and «green meeting standards», including fewer physical external meetings and sustainable hospitality and travel offers, help to promote environmentally conscious action within the company.
Climate protection is also a top priority at the company site in Baar: The office building is supplied exclusively with sustainable energy, including geothermal probes, energy from hydropower and solar panels. Waste is reduced to a minimum in all areas, most information sent to doctors is sent digitally and AstraZeneca is testing the use of electronic package inserts for one medication. Furthermore, the cafeteria offers mainly vegetarian meals and meat-free food is standard at events organized by AstraZeneca.
Reducing emissions to reduce health problems
Lars Peters, Market Access Director and Sustainability Officer at AstraZeneca Switzerland, emphasizes: «Healthy people need a healthy planet: By reducing emissions with a wide variety of measures, we are promoting cleaner air. This not only has a positive impact on the climate, but also helps to reduce the number of environmentally-related respiratory diseases and other health problems.»
Further information on AstraZeneca's commitment to sustainability in Switzerland can be found on the website.
Media contact
Tel. +41 (0) 41 725 75 75; media.switzerland@astrazeneca.com
Barbara Hess, Corporate Communications Lead, AstraZeneca Switzerland
AstraZeneca in Switzerland
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that has been present in Switzerland for nearly 50 years, ranking among the country's top ten revenue-generating pharmaceutical firms. AstraZeneca focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in the areas of Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, Respiratory and Immunology, and Rare Diseases. Over 285 employees in Switzerland are committed to providing patients with life-changing medicines and making a positive impact on the healthcare system, society, and the planet. Currently, over 230,000 people are treated with a drug from AstraZeneca in Switzerland. By 2026, the company expects the approval of over 35 new therapies. AstraZeneca has pledged to an inclusive work environment based on respect and acceptance. The company was thus recognised as a «Great Place to Work» for the sixth consecutive time in 2024 and carries the «Swiss LGBTI label». AstraZeneca aims to be CO2-negative by 2030.
For more information: www.astrazeneca.ch