The pharmaceutical industry has historically not been known for its sustainability practices, as it heavily relies on fossil fuels to meet its energy needs. This includes powering research labs, manufacturing facilities, and transportation vehicles. Pam Cheng, the Executive Vice President of Operations and IT at AstraZeneca, is working to change that. In addition to overseeing the company’s global manufacturing and supply chains, she is also the first Chief Sustainability Officer at AstraZeneca. Cheng believes that a healthy planet is essential for promoting human health, and she sees her role as driving initiatives to benefit both.
Since joining AstraZeneca in 2015, Cheng has led efforts to make the company a leader in sustainability within the pharmaceutical industry. AstraZeneca was one of the first seven global companies to have its greenhouse gas emission targets verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions. Cheng oversees the company’s $1 billion Ambition Zero Carbon program, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 98% by 2025. By 2026, AstraZeneca’s entire vehicle fleet will be electric.
Cheng has implemented innovative sustainability practices at AstraZeneca, such as converting the company’s manufacturing plants to use biomethane, a renewable energy source made from food and farm waste. AstraZeneca has invested in creating anaerobic digestion plants that turn waste into energy, with plans to convert other manufacturing facilities in the future. Cheng describes this as a circular economy model, where everything is reused and recycled with zero waste. Through her leadership, Cheng is driving AstraZeneca towards a more sustainable future in the pharmaceutical industry.