AstraZeneca

The program, which is part of the company’s broader social strategy for sustainable development and sustainability, is a multifaceted corporate responsibility initiative.

Environmental protection is a key pillar of our social strategy given that at AstraZeneca, we believe that people’s health is inextricably linked with the health of our planet. It is for this reason that we have made environmental protection the key pillar of our social strategy.

At AstraZeneca sustainability is associated with being able to make a meaningful impact where society needs it – health.

We believe that best environmental management practices are capable of preventing illnesses and improving access to healthcare, since a healthy environment and human health are inextricably linked. Based on science, we aim to protect the environment for the coming generations.

Climate change impacts on human health are continuously escalating as the environmental crisis intensifies. For this reason, we are constantly seeking opportunities to promote best environmental management practices and reduce climatic impacts.

This program aims to raise the awareness of company employees and educate them on environmental protection as well as boost teamwork and volunteerism. At the same time, we focus on sharing knowledge and experiences with the social groups that need them. In order of priority, these include those related with the principles of sustainable development, reducing the environmental footprint and addressing climate change.

The program targets an internal audience, the company's employees, who actively participate in its implementation with their volunteering, and the wider public to whom messages are communicated through the action. 

2019-2022

Established on the principles of sustainability and best environmental management practices – the “We protect the environment... with actions” program contextually “links” the 4 mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with 4 environmental protection actions. In this context, in 2019 the company “subtracted” pollution from 5 Greek coasts, while in 2020, it “added” oxygen by supporting the reforestation action at Neo Voutzas, Attica. In 2021, “it multiplied energy” by supporting solar energy lighting enhancement actions in three parks in Athens and one park in Thessaloniki with the simultaneous installation of 20 new LED solar post lights. In 2022 it applied the operation of division. In this respect, the company moved forward with a number of initiatives aimed at “sharing knowledge”. We organized educational seminars for environmental issues in 23 schools across Greece. AstraZeneca’s objective was to contribute to the training and awareness raising of students about the environmental crisis and sustainability with environmental protection topics. AstraZeneca volunteers/employees “shared their knowledge” with 1,150 school students in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Patras, and Heraklion, Crete.

AstraZeneca collaborates with renowned environmental organizations for the implementation of the individual actions of the “We protect the environment with... Actions” program. In particular, for the first action it collaborated with the iSea environmental organization (isea.com.gr), member of the "Cooperation Network for the Marine Environment” and for the second with the we4all environmental organization (we4all.com). The program’s 3rd action was carried out in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens and the Municipality of Thessaloniki, while the fourth action was also implemented in collaboration with the we4all environmental organization (we4all.com).

All of AstraZeneca’s employees participated in the environmental actions during the implementation of the program’s actions.

The action “We protect the environment with actions” took place in the areas of Attica, Thessaloniki, Volos, Patras, and Crete.

As part of the 1st phase of the corporate environmental program:

Pollution was removed from 5 beaches in Greece (Schoinia, Marathona, Attica; Peraia, Thessaloniki; Kastelokampos, Patras; Nees Pagases, Volos; and Nea Alikarnassos, Heraklion, Crete)

About 1,750 meters of the coastline were cleaned,

91 bags of waste were gathered (weighing 450 kg)

20 kg of recyclable materials were collected

176 AstraZeneca employees participated

The employees were informed by representatives from the iSea environmental organization about the impact that pollution has on the marine environment, as well as the correct separation of recyclable materials. The removal of 450 kg of waste, which would have ended up in the sea, contributes towards protecting and preserving our country’s coastal ecosystem.

As part of the 2nd phase of the corporate environmental program:

200 saplings were planted for the reforestation of the fire-stricken area in Neos Voutzas, Attica

211 employees symbolically supported the action by planting an olive sapling in their area

It is estimated that the 411 newly planted saplings will absorb an average of 2,933 kg carbon dioxide per year, while releasing 15,600 kg of oxygen into the atmosphere, which will increase over time as they grow.

During the 3rd phase of the program, 4 urban parks were illuminated using solar energy thereby contributing to the creation of a healthier future for the planet and for humans (three parks in Athens and one in Thessaloniki):

In Athens, 7 solar post lights were installed in the park at the intersection of Agiou Antoniou and Irakliou Avenue and 4 solar post lights at Dimitriou Pikioni Square (Schaubert Street) and the park at the intersection of Agia Lavras, Rostan and Nikolopoulou Streets.

In Thessaloniki, AstraZeneca supported the solar energy illumination of the “pocket park” at the intersection of Alkminis & Antoniou Daniolou Streets with the installation of 5 solar post lights.

The action was implemented in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens and the Municipality of Thessaloniki and included the simultaneous installation of 20 new LED solar post lights.

The objective of the program’s 4th action was to contribute to the training and awareness raising of students about the environmental crisis and sustainability. AstraZeneca volunteer employees “shared their knowledge” with:

1,150 students

23 schools in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Patras, and Heraklion, Crete

The action was implemented in collaboration with the We4All environmental organization (we4all.com).

Through this initiative, we continue to implement the principles of our environmental strategy, in order to further reduce our environmental footprint. We promote our social strategy for sustainable development and confirm that environmental protection is a priority in all our operations and the core of our value chain.

Internally, the program contributes to boosting teamwork among company employees and volunteering, as well as the education and cultivation of environmental sensitivity. At the same time, our internal audience become ambassadors of the corporate values and messages of our “We protect the environment... with actions!” program.