We protect the environment with... Actions 2019-2024
SUBMITTED FROM:
AstraZeneca
At AstraZeneca, to respond effectively to a changing world and increased disease burden, we continuously invest in one of the most powerful and efficient production lines in the pharmaceutical industry. We work hard to deliver life-changing medicines and treatments to patients around the world.
We continue to push the boundaries of science to deliver innovative medicines and therapies that prevent, treat and cure some of the world's most important health challenges, including cancer, diabetes, heart, kidney and respiratory diseases. At AstraZeneca, innovation is a concept intertwined with growth. It is the driving force behind our vision to improve the lives of thousands of people by bringing them innovative treatments. At the same time, we ensure that these medicines reach the patients who need them, in a way that benefits society and our planet.
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.
The objective of the program is to contribute to raising awareness among the company’s employees and their four-year methodical and in-depth training and focus on sustainable practices, as well as boosting 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.
Target Audience
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.
Duration
2019-2024
Description
The “We protect the environment... with actions” program contextually “links” the 4 mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with environmental protection actions. In this context, in 2019 “subtracted” pollution from 5 Greek coasts. 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. In 2022 – now for some division – the company moved forward with a number of initiatives aimed at “sharing knowledge”. It organized educational seminars on environmental issues in 23 schools throughout Greece aimed at contributing to the education and raising awareness among students about the environmental crisis and environmental protection for sustainability. AstraZeneca Greece volunteers/employees “shared their knowledge” with 1,150 school students in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Patras, and Heraklion, Crete.
Continuing and renewing its “We protect the environment... with actions” program and with the participation of its employees, in 2023 AstraZeneca planted and undertook the care of 4,000 trees throughout Greece, following the principles of its international AZ Forest program. The action is part of its commitment to plant and care for more than 30,000 trees throughout Greece by 2030. More than 250 AstraZeneca Greece employees gathered in the area of Mt. Imittos in Peania and the Nature Park of Kalochori in Thessaloniki on 11/03/2023, where in collaboration with “WE4ALL”, a non-profit, environmental, and humanitarian organization, planted new trees, actively contributing to the restoration of the natural environment, which has been particularly affected by destructive fires in recent years. Moreover, the AstraZeneca employees cared for many trees that had been planted in the areas in previous actions and pledged to return to the areas regularly to water and check on the progress of the trees.
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). A coastal cleanup was carried out along 1,750 meters, during which 91 bags of waste were accumulated (weighing a total of 450 kilos) and 20 kilos of recyclable materials were collected. 176 AstraZeneca Greece volunteer employees participated in this action.
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 kilos 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 Neo Voutzas, Attica. 211 employees participated, who symbolically supported the action by planting an olive sapling in their area. It is estimated that the 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 Greece 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 Greece with its volunteer employees and the collaboration of the WE4ALL environmental organization “shared their knowledge” about sustainability and environmental protection with 1,150 students in 23 schools in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Patras, and Heraklion, Crete.
Initiative Location
The action took place in the areas of Attica, Thessaloniki, Volos, Patras, and Crete.
Working with Organization
AstraZeneca Greece collaborates with renowned environmental organizations for the implementation of the program’s individual actions. 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.
Benefits for Οrganization
The program contributes to boosting the 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 the “We protect the environment... with actions” program.
