Higher Sustainability Demands on Suppliers

“We expect our suppliers to adopt science-based climate targets in line with our own,” says Fredrik Hellman, Global Director Climate Resilience & Head of Environment at AstraZeneca Sweden.

The company has long been at the forefront of climate work. As early as 2021, they became one of the first seven companies in the world to follow the Science Based Targets initiative’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard. Since then, they have reduced their global Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 77 percent, and by over 98 percent at their facilities in Sweden.

But the bigger challenge lies beyond their own operations.

“Our indirect emissions—so-called Scope 3—account for 98 percent of our total emissions. That’s why it’s crucial that our suppliers and partners also actively work to reduce their emissions,” explains Fredrik Hellman.

Data as the Basis for Sustainability

To reduce emissions, you first need to know where they occur. This is where measurement data and transparency become critical.

“To quantify our emissions, we need high-quality measurement data. We strive, as much as possible, to access accurately quantified information from our suppliers,” says Fredrik Hellman.

In other words, good intentions or general policies are no longer enough. Companies need to provide concrete numbers—both for their own emissions and for the impact of their supply chains on the climate.

This applies even to small and medium-sized companies, which together often account for a large portion of the value chain’s total climate impact. When customers like AstraZeneca request data, it’s not bureaucracy—it’s about driving real change.

“We are well on our way to reaching our goals for our own emissions, where we have full control over decisions. But achieving net-zero requires that all parts of the value chain move in the same direction,” he says.

Non-Negotiable Sustainability Requirements

For AstraZeneca, sustainability is not a soft issue—it’s part of doing business.

“We have sustainability requirements that we do not negotiate away,” says Fredrik Hellman.

When the company chooses suppliers, climate and sustainability work is a natural part of the assessment. In practice, it can determine whether a collaboration continues or not.

To support suppliers along the way, AstraZeneca offers training programs. The company also collaborates with other pharmaceutical companies in initiatives such as the Health Systems Taskforce, aiming to set joint requirements—including science-based climate targets—and increase access to renewable energy globally.

“This is a responsibility we share. We cannot reach our climate goals without the entire value chain moving toward the same objectives,” says Fredrik.

From Requirement to Competitive Advantage

For smaller companies, demands from large customers can feel overwhelming. But in practice, access to sustainability data can become a clear competitive advantage. As more large companies are subject to legal requirements and climate goals, the need for suppliers who can demonstrate credible data increases.

“It is becoming increasingly important that we, as a company, can clearly show that we meet our own goals and ambitions, our customers’ requirements, and applicable legislation. This means we also need good control over our supply chain,” says Fredrik.

Having accurate figures in place is therefore an investment in the future—and in one’s own competitiveness. For companies like AstraZeneca, sustainability data is critical for decision-making. For suppliers, it can be the key to remaining in the chain—or being first in line when new collaborations begin.

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🔗 AstraZeneca Sustainability Report Sweden (2025)
🔗 AstraZeneca Global Sustainability Report (2024)

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