Ireland is making its first complete transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for international air delivery of medications thanks to a partnership between Dublin, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, and DHL Express. This landmark decision, which covers exports to 19 European nations, will drastically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 80% when compared to conventional aviation fuel.
SAF, provided through DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, is made from waste-based feedstocks such as used cooking oil. It serves as a ready substitute for conventional fuel, requiring no modifications to aircraft engines, making it a sustainable and efficient solution.
This bold initiative aligns with AstraZeneca’s broader sustainability strategy, which focuses on cutting supply chain emissions. The pharmaceutical company aims to halve its Scope 3 GHG emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2045.
Leadership in Sustainability
Sylvia Kiely, Alexion’s Vice President, emphasized the importance of the switch, stating:
“Moving our air freight to Sustainable Aviation Fuel is an important milestone in reaching our Scope 3 targets, with the ambition of being science-based net zero by 2045. Through our partnership with DHL Express we’ve signed up immediately to a 100% change in fuel, rather than scaling up over time, which demonstrates how seriously we take environmental stewardship.”
DHL Express Ireland echoed the sentiment, with Brian Murray, Commercial & Same Day Director, adding:
“We are thrilled to partner with Alexion. Our GoGreen Plus service using emission-reduced Sustainable Aviation Fuel demonstrates the tangible impact of collaborative efforts to decarbonise the logistics industry and support our customers in achieving their sustainability goals. This initiative aligns perfectly with DHL’s sustainability strategy and our goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”
European Reach
The switch to SAF will directly impact shipments to 19 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, among others.
This collaboration sets an inspiring benchmark for sustainable logistics, showcasing the potential of partnerships to deliver significant environmental benefits and support the transition toward a greener future.
