Alliance Healthcare has announced plans to make its operations net carbon zero by the close of the decade.

The wholesaler revealed this afternoon some of the measures it is adopting to become net zero by 2030 across scopes 1 and 2 of the organisation – defined as the emission sources that are most under a company’s control.

The company’s objectives include reducing its use of single-use plastic secondary packaging by 60 per cent by next September, replacing its fleet vans with vehicles that have a euro 6 engine and increasing fuel efficiency through the use of telematics and optimised driving styles.

Alliance already purchases all its electricity from sustainable sources and has increased recycling by six per cent since 2019.

The announcement follows a commitment from parent company Amerisource Bergen earlier this year to honour climate targets.

Managing director Julian Mount said: “Caring for the environment and the world we live in is extremely important to Alliance Healthcare. We all have a duty to do whatever we can to tackle climate change and strive to meet the global targets.

“This is why it is so vital that we make this pledge and work hard to meet the commitments and targets we have set to achieve by 2030. I firmly believe that by working in partnership with industry partners and supporting their commitments as well as our own ensures we are all on the same path in our mission to tackle climate change.

“By 2030, Alliance Healthcare UK will be the largest independent sustainable pharmaceutical wholesaler in the UK – ensuring that we remain the sustainable partner of choice for our customers and manufacturers, a huge achievement for us and a step closer towards creating a healthier future for all.

“Today everyone at Alliance Healthcare is encouraged to make a personal sustainability pledge on our internal pledge trees, as we all continue to play a personal role in this commitment.”