Sustainable transport and the transition to electric vehicles

Globally, road transport is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Limiting global temperature increases to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and tackling air pollution requires a transformation of the transport sector. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have a key role to play.¹
 

As part of our Ambition Zero Carbon programme and aim to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 98% by 2026 (from a 2015 baseline), we’re rapidly transitioning our vehicle fleet to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) wherever technically feasible. By the end of 2025, over 80% of our total owned and leased fleet were BEVs. We purchase Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) to ensure renewable energy equivalent to our vehicle charging needs is fed into the grid.

Driving a successful transition

Our ongoing efforts to decarbonise vehicle transportation reflect our dedication to a healthier, more sustainable future. Electrification helps to cut tailpipe emissions, improve air quality and reduce environmental impact.²

Despite challenges in some markets, we continue to make progress. Our operations span over 60 countries across six continents, where vehicle availability, infrastructure and policy landscapes vary significantly. Factors that have enabled our BEV transition include clear science-based targets supported by senior leadership, knowledge-sharing across markets, strong local ownership and effective change management.

Our approach:

• Bottom up and top-down, assessing market readiness to set the right level of ambition across markets
• Global car fleet policy, driving alignment
• Rigorous process to assess non-BEV additions to the fleet, with regular review to monitor market readiness
   

As members of the Climate Group’s EV100 initiative, we advocate for clear and stable incentives to facilitate long-term planning and accelerate the BEV transition. We were the first pharmaceutical company to sign up to all three of the Climate Group initiatives: EV100, RE100 and EP100.

Decarbonising logistics and business travel

Through Ambition Zero Carbon, we are also looking at ways to reduce the carbon footprint of business travel and logistics by travelling less, travelling more sustainably and switching from air to sea freight.

• Employees are encouraged to take the train instead of the plane where possible, reduce one-day trips and book carbon-efficient flights
• We’re engaging suppliers covering upstream transportation and distribution and business travel to adopt science-based targets (SBTs) – including airline partners
• To reduce GHG emissions from road freight, we’re also partnering on sustainable fuel deliveries for the pharmaceutical industry using Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO)