Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does AstraZeneca score?

AstraZeneca reports FY2024 Scope 1 (125,386t CO2e) and Scope 2 market-based (14,210t CO2e) in its Sustainability Data Annex 2024, independently assured by Bureau Veritas. Multi-year tracking from a 2015 baseline shows 77.5% absolute reduction in Scope 1&2. Granular breakdown by road fleet, site energy, site non-energy, and location/market-based Scope 2. GHG Protocol methodology with published Greenhouse Gas Reporting Methodology 2024 document. Declining absolute trend evident year-on-year (2022:

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does AstraZeneca score?

AstraZeneca reports total Scope 3 emissions of 5,897,822 tonnes CO2e for 2024, covering all material categories. The company uses 59% primary activity data (up from 20% in 2019) and employs CDP disclosure and EcoVadis for supplier emissions tracking. A structured supplier engagement programme requires suppliers with >$250k spend to set SBTi-validated targets and disclose to EcoVadis. 46% of Category 1&2 supplier spend is with companies with verified SBTs. Scope 3 methodology is published and Bur

Emissions Trajectory: How does AstraZeneca score?

Scope 1&2 trajectory is excellent: 77.5% absolute reduction from 620,818t (2015) to 139,594t (2024), with consistent year-on-year declines. However, absolute Scope 3 emissions have increased by approximately 18.6% from the 2019 baseline, and AstraZeneca's own forecasting acknowledged 2023 was unlikely to be the emissions peak. Total emissions (including Scope 3) are rising while revenue grows rapidly. Per the scoring rubric, this trajectory must be capped at 4 because Scope 3 is rising while Sco

Energy Source: How does AstraZeneca score?

AstraZeneca achieved 97% renewable electricity across all sites in 2024, on track for its RE100 commitment of 100% by 2025. Member of RE100 since 2015 and a founding partner of the 24/7 Carbon-Free Electricity Coalition. The company has moved beyond RECs: a 10-year PPA with Statkraft supplies 200 GWh/year from new Swedish wind farms, on-site solar PV in 20 locations across 11 countries (21,000 MWh in 2024), and biomethane agreements in UK, China and US. EV fleet transition at 63% battery electri

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does AstraZeneca score?

AstraZeneca published its first TNFD report in 2025 after early adoption in 2024, with nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities mapped. The AZ Forest programme has planted over 40 million trees across 9 countries (targeting 200M by 2030), with third-party monitoring by the European Forest Institute. The company has Biodiversity Action Plans at R&D and manufacturing sites, a deforestation-free commitment for key forest risk commodities by 2025, and a safe API discharge progra

Resource Use & Waste: How does AstraZeneca score?

Total waste was 26,285 tonnes in 2024, a 13% reduction from 2015. Recycling rate was 41% (10,659 tonnes), with waste to landfill at 1,339 tonnes. AstraZeneca has 129 My Green Lab certified labs (91 at Green level). The company has launched circularity metrics, adopted a plastics hierarchy, and is piloting recycling of inhaler device components in Sweden. A circularity rate was piloted in 2023 and launched in 2024. However, total recycling percentage has fluctuated (37-42%) and landfill waste inc

Water Impact: How does AstraZeneca score?

AstraZeneca achieved a 23% reduction in water use from the 2015 baseline by end of 2024. The company is a member of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), partners with WWF on water stewardship strategy, and uses the WWF Water Risk Filter tool to prioritise action. It runs a safe API discharge programme targeting 100% compliance at own sites and ≥90% at supplier sites. Water quality monitoring includes an EcoPharmacoVigilance dashboard tracking pharmaceutical pollutant risks. Life cycle asses

Targets & Commitments: How does AstraZeneca score?

AstraZeneca was one of the first seven companies globally to receive SBTi-validated net-zero targets (October 2021). Near-term: 98% absolute Scope 1&2 reduction by 2026 (from 2015). Long-term: 50% absolute Scope 3 reduction by 2030 and 90% by 2045 (from 2019), leading to science-based net zero by 2045. All targets are absolute, not intensity-based. The company follows an Eliminate-Reduce-Substitute-Compensate hierarchy, with AZ Forest for residual emissions. However, the company is lagging on it

Transparency & Accountability: How does AstraZeneca score?

AstraZeneca has a dedicated Sustainability Committee at board level, a Chief Sustainability Officer (Pam Cheng, EVP), and publishes an annual Sustainability Data Annex, TNFD report, GHG Reporting Methodology, TCFD disclosure, and sustainability data content index aligned with GRI, SASB, and CSRD. Data is independently assured by Bureau Veritas. The company was listed as a CDP Climate A-list member (2020) and a Financial Times European Climate Leader for four consecutive years. 25 of 27 sustainab

Controversies & Red Flags: How does AstraZeneca score?

Starting at 8. No specific greenwashing lawsuits, regulatory fines, or major environmental controversies found targeting AstraZeneca. InfluenceMap assessment shows AstraZeneca is 'strategically and positively engaged with climate policy' including supporting EU 2040 climate target, CO2 vehicle standards, and carbon pricing in Japan. However, AstraZeneca retains membership to the European Round Table for Industry (ERT), which has advocated to weaken carbon pricing policies in the EU, and the Nati

AstraZeneca Sustainability Score: 52/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

AstraZeneca·Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals·Cambridge, United Kingdom·Founded 1913·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Making progressPending Review

AstraZeneca has cut operational emissions 77.5% since 2015 and achieved 97% renewable electricity, backed by SBTi-validated net-zero targets. But absolute Scope 3 emissions rose 18.6% from baseline, undermining the net-zero claim. Delivery gaps and rising supply chain emissions are the core weakness.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals sector ceiling.

45 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

72 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 45) + (0.7 × 72) = 63.9

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Making progress.

52 / 100

The ten questions

Where AstraZeneca is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Energy Source (9/10, 9/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Resource Use & Waste (4/10, 6/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

18 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Self-reported

Sustainability Data Annex 2024

2025

Q1Q2Q3Q6

Every score shows its working.

Where AstraZeneca is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where AstraZeneca sits among healthcare / pharmaceuticals peers.

AstraZeneca's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

Related companies worth a look.

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Which companies moved this week, and why.