AstraZeneca expands AZ Forest Program, pledging to plant nearly 2 million trees this year in Australia

Pharma News: In a remarkable move towards combating climate change and promoting biodiversity, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has announced a staggering $400 million investment in its global AZ Forest program. This initiative is set to redefine the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship by aiming to plant an astounding 200 million trees by the year 2030 while ensuring their long-term survival.

This latest investment builds upon AstraZeneca’s initial AZ Forest commitment, which was first announced in 2020. At that time, the company pledged to plant and maintain over 50 million trees by the end of 2025, recognising the vital connection between the health of people and the health of the planet. Notably, the planting efforts have progressed rapidly in various countries, such as Australia, Indonesia, Ghana, the UK, the US, and France, encompassing the use of over 300 tree species to restore biodiversity and natural habitats. Furthermore, the program is expected to deliver numerous benefits to local communities, with an estimated positive impact on approximately 80,000 livelihoods.

Expanding upon an ongoing project in Australia that seeks to plant 25 million trees, a spokesperson from AstraZeneca Australia & New Zealand told Health Industry Hub “We have already made significant progress, planting over 4 million native trees in priority regions located in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania, providing support to vulnerable and endangered wildlife species. In 2023, we are partnering with Greening Australia to plant 1.6 million trees in Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales.”

Adding to the urgency of environmental stewardship, Members of Parliament recently expressed the government’s commitment to addressing climate change after a decade of inaction and dysfunction. The Hon Ged Kearney, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, opened the consultation on Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy, acknowledging the World Health Organisation’s warning that climate change is the greatest threat to public health in the 21st century.

“The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are damaging the planet and harming human health. Through AZ Forest, we are working with local communities and ecological experts to deliver reforestation at scale, as well as support biodiversity and sustain livelihoods. We are taking a science-based approach, and AZ Forest will remove around 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over about 30 years,” stated Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca, emphasising the urgency of addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

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The AZ Forest program represents a crucial component of AstraZeneca’s flagship sustainability strategy, Ambition Zero Carbon. Aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, this strategy aims to achieve deep decarbonisation, limit global warming to 1.5°C, and combat climate change. The company is on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations and fleet by an astounding 98% by 2026. Additionally, AstraZeneca has committed to halving its entire value chain footprint by 2030, eventually aiming for a 90% absolute emissions reduction and becoming science-based net-zero by 2045 at the latest. Through the AZ Forest program, the company seeks to remove its residual emissions from the atmosphere starting in 2030.

The AZ Forest projects are developed in collaboration with planting experts, local communities, and governments to ensure natural forest restoration and agroforestry. These initiatives offer co-benefits such as the creation of new skills and job opportunities, the protection and recovery of threatened and endangered species, and improved public health. All projects will undergo thorough audits and assessments by leading delivery partners and independent third-party experts, including the esteemed European Forest Institute (EFI).

Marc Palahí, Chair of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA), highlighted the pivotal role that forests play in combating climate change, supporting biodiversity, and fostering a circular bioeconomy that harmonises with nature. Recognising that forests are the lifeblood of our planet, providing the foundation for human health and well-being, Palahí emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships like AZ Forest. These partnerships, guided by science-based principles, have the power to mitigate the impacts of climate change while creating economic and social value for local communities.

In addition to its commitment to reforestation, AstraZeneca has joined forces with the EFI and the CBA to publish a science-based framework for sustainable and resilient landscape regeneration. The CBA Principles for Regenerative Landscapes will serve as a guiding beacon for circular bioeconomy value chains and the restoration of biodiversity, setting new standards for sustainable practices in the industry.

Notably, AZ Forest aligns with the World Economic Forum’s visionary 1t.org initiative, a pioneering public-private partnership dedicated to conserving, restoring, and expanding one trillion trees by the year 2030. AstraZeneca’s involvement in this global effort further underscores its commitment to environmental stewardship and the pursuit of a greener, more sustainable future.

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