Dublin, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, has partnered with DHL Express to achieve Ireland’s first 100% switch to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for international air delivery of medicines. This move will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 80% compared to traditional aviation fuel, covering shipments to 19 European countries.
SAF, provided through DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, is produced from waste-based feedstocks like used cooking oil and can replace conventional fuel without modifying aircraft engines.
This initiative aligns with AstraZeneca’s sustainability strategy to halve its Scope 3 GHG emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2045.
Sylvia Kiely, Alexion’s Vice President, noted, “Moving our air freight to Sustainable Aviation Fuel is an important milestone in reaching our Scope 3 targets, with the ambition of being science-based net zero by 2045.Through our partnership with DHL Express we’ve signed up immediately to a 100% change in fuel, rather than scaling up over time, which demonstrates how seriously we take environmental stewardship.” Â
Brian Murray, DHL Express Ireland, added, ““We are thrilled to partner with Alexion. Our GoGreen Plus service using emission-reduced Sustainable Aviation Fuel demonstrates the tangible impact of collaborative efforts to decarbonise the logistics industry and support our customers in achieving their sustainability goals. This initiative aligns perfectly with DHL’s sustainability strategy and our goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”
Countries receiving medicines under this initiative include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, among others.