Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
As members of PhRMA, we believe improving human life means celebrating human diversity
Tracking Workforce Demographics
AstraZeneca has launched a global voluntary disclosure campaign to better understand its workforce demographics. Tracking dimensions such as country of origin, disability status, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation, where locally permissible, provides a more comprehensive picture of its global workforce diversity, and is a way to understand where things stand today and opportunities for progress in the future.
Employee Resource Groups
AstraZeneca has many active Employee Resource Groups which play an important role in connecting employees and furthering its mission by aligning with organizational priorities. These voluntary, employee-led groups aim to cultivate and sustain inclusion and a sense of belonging at AstraZeneca.
Employee Resource Groups 2021 Highlights
The TH!NK group introduced a new initiative to support neurodiverse employees through meaningful mentoring relationships. There is a growing network of mentors across a range of countries.
The African Heritage group hosted a Career Symposium in the US with workshops, networking, panel discussions and “Career Speed Dating”.
The AZ Pride group created a course on LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in collaboration with the AZ Global Sustainability Education, Engagement and Policy teams, which is now available in 11 languages in the Employees and Managers Essentials resources on Degreed, AstraZeneca’s internal digital learning platform.
The African Heritage group hosted a Career Symposium in the US with workshops, networking, panel discussions and “Career Speed Dating”.
The AZ Pride group created a course on LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in collaboration with the AZ Global Sustainability Education, Engagement and Policy teams, which is now available in 11 languages in the Employees and Managers Essentials resources on Degreed, AstraZeneca’s internal digital learning platform.
New Talent Acquisition Strategies
AstraZeneca has implemented a requirement for diverse candidate slates and interview panels, as well as interview skills training for hiring managers which addresses I&D. AstraZeneca is also enhancing its relationships with external organizations and institutions, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) in the US, to facilitate entry pathways for diverse talent by funding scholarships and/or participating in recruitment and STEM mentoring programs.
Expanding Supplier Diversity Program
In 2021, AstraZeneca increased its spend with diverse suppliers by 20%. AstraZeneca also led multiple panels and industry discussions, sharing best practices with its peers and the diverse supplier community. Additionally, AstraZeneca started a new partnership with the US National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) to further promote the inclusion of diverse businesses.
Environmental Sustainability:
As members of PhRMA, we believe a healthy environment is essential for improving human life
Ambition Zero Carbon
Through its flagship $1 billion Ambition Zero Carbon program, AstraZeneca aims to:
• Achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by maximizing energy efficiency, shifting to renewable energy sources, and investing in nature-based removals to compensate for any residual GHG footprint.
• Build resilience by managing the physical (sites, supply chain) and transitional (regulatory, market and product) risks and opportunities arising from climate change in the value chain through adaptation and business continuity planning.
Ambition Zero Carbon Progress
AstraZeneca is on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its global operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 98% by 2026 and halve its entire value chain footprint (from 2015 baseline) by 2030 on the way to a 90% reduction by 2045 (from 2019 baseline).
Ambition Zero Carbon Highlights
AZ Forest Reforestation initiative: AZ Forest is AstraZeneca's global initiative to plant and steward 50-million trees worldwide by 2025. In partnership with local governments and One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization focused on global reforestation, the initiative supports the World Economic Forum's 1T.org
The Champions for a Trillion Trees platform. In the US, AstraZeneca partnered with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to plant and sustain one million trees by the end of 2025. The tree planting effort will contribute to the restoration of water quality and wildlife habitats primarily within the Delaware River Watershed, while at the same time combating climate change by increasing carbon storage.
Partnership with Honeywell: AstraZeneca and Honeywell have partnered to develop next-generation respiratory inhalers using the propellant HFO-1234ze, which has up to 99.9% less Global Warming Potential (GWP) than propellants currently used in respiratory medicines.
The Champions for a Trillion Trees platform. In the US, AstraZeneca partnered with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to plant and sustain one million trees by the end of 2025. The tree planting effort will contribute to the restoration of water quality and wildlife habitats primarily within the Delaware River Watershed, while at the same time combating climate change by increasing carbon storage.
Partnership with Honeywell: AstraZeneca and Honeywell have partnered to develop next-generation respiratory inhalers using the propellant HFO-1234ze, which has up to 99.9% less Global Warming Potential (GWP) than propellants currently used in respiratory medicines.
Product Sustainability
To deliver medicines that improve patient outcomes with the lowest possible burden on the planet, AstraZeneca evaluates materials and processes used to make its products across the entire value chain and proactively investigates opportunities to reduce their impact. AstraZeneca also leads the industry in the management of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PIE), striving to address critical scientific knowledge gaps and promote responsible product stewardship.
Delivering on AstraZeneca's Renewable Energy Strategy
Since 2015, AstraZeneca has invested $130M in natural resource efficiency and renewable energy at its sites through a dedicated fund. AstraZeneca will always need some energy and is committed to using 100% renewable energy sources to meet all its needs by the end of 2025. In 2021, AstraZeneca initiated a program of work to look at how it can maximize the positive impact of its renewable energy use, with a focus on adding new renewable energy sources to the locations that it operates in.
Highlights on the renewable energy strategy include:
• EPA ENERGY STAR Certification at its manufacturing sites in Newark, NJ and West Chester, OH
• Installation of a seven-acre, two-megawatt solar field at the Mt. Vernon, IN site
Highlights on the renewable energy strategy include:
• EPA ENERGY STAR Certification at its manufacturing sites in Newark, NJ and West Chester, OH
• Installation of a seven-acre, two-megawatt solar field at the Mt. Vernon, IN site
Access & Affordability:
As members of PhRMA, we believe that living our mission of improving human life relies on broad access to medicines
ACT on Health Equity Community Solutions Challenge
AstraZeneca recognizes health starts in our homes, schools, and communities. The ACT on Health Equity: Community Solutions Challenge supports community-based, non-profit organizations that are advancing health equity among underserved US communities through innovative health, wellbeing, and STEM programs at the local and regional level. The challenge will provide up to $1 million in funding.
AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation
Established in 1993, the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation is a Delaware nonprofit corporation and a 501(c)(3) entity organized for charitable purposes, including to promote public awareness of healthcare issues, to promote public education of medical knowledge and to support or contribute to charitable and qualified exempt organizations consistent with its charitable purpose.
The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation works to address health disparities in the US through strategic grant-giving and capacity-building support for nonprofit organizations. The Foundation also provides financial support for AstraZeneca employees affected by federally declared disasters in the US.
The Foundation is separate from the commercial entity, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Co-Pay Savings & AZ&Me Patient Assistance Program
AstraZeneca believes it's not enough to simply make medicines - they want to help people who need those medicines gain access to them. It's why AstraZeneca has offered patient assistance programs for over 35 years, including:
• Co-Pay Savings: AstraZeneca provides financial assistance to eligible commercially insured patients that help reduce the monthly cost of their medication.
• AZ&Me: AZ&Me is designed to help qualifying people without insurance and those on Medicare who are having trouble affording their AstraZeneca medications.
• Co-Pay Savings: AstraZeneca provides financial assistance to eligible commercially insured patients that help reduce the monthly cost of their medication.
• AZ&Me: AZ&Me is designed to help qualifying people without insurance and those on Medicare who are having trouble affording their AstraZeneca medications.
Young Health Program
The AstraZeneca Young Health Program works to help young people aged 10-24 to take control of their health, especially to combat long-term conditions such as cancers, diabetes, respiratory and heart diseases, and mental ill health. These are often called non-communicable diseases (NCDs).