AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company, dedicated to transforming the future of healthcare by unlocking the power of what science can do for people, society and the planet. It is one of the top global pharmaceutical companies in the world, with over 89 000 employees worldwide.

AstraZeneca K.K. was established in the year 2000. Today, it employs 3 700 people in Japan, with a turnover of 3.5 billion USD. Its business focuses mainly on Oncology, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Gastrointestinal, and Respiratory.

AstraZeneca believes that our shared future depends on healthy people, society, and planet, and that these elements are interconnected. Bold action is being taken to address the climate crisis and in 2020, AstraZeneca announced its “Ambition Zero Carbon” (AZC) programme. Through this programme, AstraZeneca aims to reduce carbon emissions from all global operations by 98% by 2026 (compared to 2015), and for the whole value chain to be carbon negative from 2030, investing up to 1 billion USD.

They were one of the first 7 companies globally to have their net zero targets verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), in line with their new Net Zero Corporate Standard. This includes using 100% renewable energy for both power and heat to develop and deliver medicines and switching to 100% electric vehicles for their fleet of over 17,000 vehicles – the EV100 commitment.

In Japan, AstraZeneca is purchasing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources. It has transitioned a majority of its domestic car fleet of over 1 000 vehicles to EVs, starting in 2021, and is also active in expanding the coverage and access to EV charging infrastructure across the country. Finally, it is also a strong driving force behind the decarbonization of the wider healthcare sector in Japan, currently responsible for around 5% of total domestic emissions.