Sustainability in Healthcare: AstraZeneca’s Commitment
AstraZeneca’s Journey Toward Sustainable Healthcare: A Collaborative Approach
“Collaboration serves as a powerful catalyst for accelerating results by harnessing the collective power of individuals, organizations, and stakeholders to tackle complex challenges, drive innovation, enhance efficiency, build networks, and adapt to change.” – Lina Taylor, OLY
In today’s world, the connection between human health and the health of our planet has become increasingly essential. Leaders in the healthcare industry, such as AstraZeneca, recognize this connection and are proactively taking steps to address global challenges such as climate change, healthcare accessibility, and disease prevention. AstraZeneca is a worldwide biopharmaceutical company driven by science, with cutting-edge medicine that benefits millions of patients across the globe.
Recently, Climate Executive Coaching’s CEO, Lina Taylor, had the opportunity to work alongside AstraZeneca’s Medical Affairs team to delve into their efforts of embracing sustainability as a core value. One key takeaway was the importance of viewing internal carbon budgets not just as a necessity but as a competitive advantage. Many companies tend to struggle with ambitious sustainability plans for various reasons, whether it be the costs in the short run or the daunting nature of implementing such a plan. However, a shift in perspective can pave the way for success by garnering internal support.
For instance, at the heart of AstraZeneca’s sustainability strategy lies a commitment to collaboration. They recognize the imperative nature of the global climate crisis and understand that the key to accelerating results is by working together with like-minded individuals, organizations, and stakeholders toward a brighter future.
Their strategy focuses on three interconnected priorities: access to healthcare, environmental protection, and ethics/transparency. Through initiatives like Ambition Zero Carbon, AstraZeneca aims to promote prevention, increase access to life-saving treatments, and manage their environmental impact.
Despite the climate crisis being one of the most pressing public health challenges of our era, AstraZeneca has become a leader in health-centered climate action. Engaging in initiatives such as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the Sustainable Markets initiative (SMI), they are dedicated to setting ambitious sustainability goals and, in turn, effecting positive environmental change. Furthermore, they consistently contribute towards the cultivation of a more sustainable future by forging partnerships with organizations like the World Economic Forum and supporting projects like the AZ Forest initiative. These partnerships aim to accelerate the shift to health systems with net-zero emissions by reducing carbon in supply chains and patient care routes.
AstraZeneca stands as a reminder that every individual and organization has a role to play in driving positive change, but can make a world of a difference when working alongside others. By uniting efforts and embracing sustainable practices, we can collectively create a world where health and the environment both thrive in harmony. With a drive for change and a sense of collaboration, it is more than possible to turn aspirations into reality with an opportunity for future generations to follow.
To view the full newsletter for World’s Health Day, written by Climate Executive’s CEO and founder, Lina Taylor, OLY please click here.
