AstraZeneca Expands Reforestation Initiative with $400 Million Investment
AstraZeneca is increasing its investment in climate action and nature by committing $400 million to plant 200 million trees by 2030 and restore over 100,000 hectares through its AZ Forest program.
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is broadening its commitment to climate action and nature by investing an additional $400 million into its AZ Forest initiative. The program aims to plant and monitor 200 million trees by 2030, targeting the restoration of more than 100,000 hectares of land.
Launched in 2020, AZ Forest is designed to mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity, and support sustainable livelihoods. AstraZeneca is collaborating with implementation partners, local communities, and governments in areas experiencing deforestation. The expanded initiative is projected to remove approximately 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over about 30 years.
The increased investment will fund new and expanded projects in countries including Brazil, India, Ghana, and Rwanda. In Brazil, a project named "Corridors for Life" plans to plant 11 million trees in the Atlantic Forest. In India, the company plans to plant 62 million trees in Meghalaya to restore degraded land and support rural livelihoods.
AstraZeneca emphasizes a science-based approach, with tree planting and monitoring supported by third-party experts like the European Forest Institute. The company aims to use remote sensing and high-resolution imagery to track tree health, soil and water quality, and biodiversity, as part of its broader "Ambition Zero Carbon" strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.