Ambition Zero Carbon
| Project Name: | Ambition Zero Carbon |
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| Awards: | AmCham Award submission |
| Project Timeframe: | 2023 - ongoing |
| Project Geography: | Almaty Region, Astana (city), Shymkent (city), Karaganda Region |
| Brief Project Description: | Ambition Zero Carbon is AstraZeneca Kazakhstan’s sustainability programme to reduce its environmental footprint and support healthier, more sustainable communities. It combines AZ Fleet, the progressive replacement of conventional company vehicles with electric vehicles and the development of charging infrastructure, with AZ Forest, an urban tree-planting initiative operating since 2018. By 2026, the fleet included 85 electric vehicles, representing 43% of all company vehicles, against a target of 50% by the end of 2026. In partnership with Quat Energy фтв Astana Motors, the company strengthened charging infrastructure across Almaty, Astana and Shymkent, including three stations installed in Almaty in 2026. In 2025, 515 trees were planted across the three cities. The programme also engaged 78 employees and raised sustainability awareness, with 96% reporting that they understood their role in supporting the company’s sustainability ambitions. |
| Problem Statement: | Transport-related emissions, limited electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and pressure on urban green spaces are interconnected sustainability challenges in Kazakhstan’s major cities. As a healthcare company, AstraZeneca Kazakhstan recognised that reducing its own operational footprint was consistent with its purpose of supporting healthier communities. In 2024, electric vehicles represented only 14% of the company fleet, demonstrating both the scale of the transition required and the opportunity to accelerate change. Employees also needed clear guidance on how everyday operational choices contributed to the company’s wider sustainability ambitions. Ambition Zero Carbon was therefore established as a long-term platform combining measurable operational change with environmental action and employee engagement. Through fleet electrification, charging-infrastructure development and continued tree planting, the programme addresses direct business impacts while contributing to greener cities and building a stronger internal culture of environmental responsibility. |
| Objectives: | The project aims to reduce AstraZeneca Kazakhstan’s transport-related carbon footprint by increasing electric vehicles to 50% of the fleet by the end of 2026; expand reliable charging infrastructure in Almaty, Astana and Shymkent; contribute to greener urban environments through sustained tree planting; and embed sustainability into everyday business decisions. A further objective is to involve employees directly in implementation and strengthen their understanding of how individual actions support the company’s environmental commitments, enabling lasting behavioural and operational change. |
| Key Results: | 1. Fleet electrification: 85 electric vehicles represented 43% of the company fleet by 2026, up from 14 vehicles and 14% in 2024, with a 50% target by year-end 2026. 2. Charging infrastructure: Three electric-vehicle charging stations were installed in Almaty in 2026, alongside agreements for additional charging points supporting operations in Almaty, Astana and Shymkent. 3. Urban greening: 515 trees were planted across Almaty, Astana and Shymkent in 2025. 4. Employee engagement: 78 employees participated in project activities, while 96% of employees reported in the Pulse survey that they understood their role in sustainability. |
| Budget: | 2000000 |
| Key Activities: | The project was delivered through two complementary initiatives. Under AZ Fleet, AstraZeneca Kazakhstan progressively replaced conventional vehicles with electric vehicles, growing the electric fleet from 14 vehicles in 2024 to 85 by 2026. The company collaborated with Astana Motors to develop charging infrastructure for operations in Almaty, Astana and Shymkent. Three charging stations were installed in Almaty in 2026, and agreements were established for additional charging points. Under AZ Forest, the company continued the urban tree-planting programme launched in 2018. In 2025, employees helped plant 515 trees across Almaty, Astana and Shymkent. Internal communication and engagement activities explained the environmental rationale, implementation progress and employee responsibilities. Participation was tracked through project records, with 78 employees involved. Progress was monitored through fleet composition, the share of electric vehicles, charging installations and agreements, trees planted by location, employee participation and Pulse survey feedback. |
| Key Learnings and Recommendations: | The programme shows that operational decarbonisation is most effective when fleet transition, enabling infrastructure and employee engagement advance together. A phased approach allowed the company to expand electric-vehicle adoption while addressing charging availability through a strategic external partnership. Clear indicators—fleet share, charging points, trees planted and employee understanding—made progress visible and supported accountability. Employee participation also helped translate a corporate sustainability commitment into practical behaviour. Future implementation should continue to align vehicle procurement with charging network expansion, track year-on-year emissions reductions in addition to fleet composition, and document survival and maintenance rates for planted trees. Regular employee communication and Pulse survey follow-up should be maintained. Replication in additional locations should be based on local infrastructure readiness, operational needs and partnership opportunities. |
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