How Agencias J.I. Cohen is Decarbonizing Pharmaceutical Logistics

Agencias J.I. Cohen, founded by Jack Irving Cohen and currently led by Alberto Cohen Mory, has integrated sustainability into the core of its operational strategy by quantifying and actively managing its environmental impact. In the field of medicine distribution, where the cold chain requires high technical precision and constant energy consumption, moving toward decarbonization represents a significant structural challenge.

During the 2024 cycle, the organization measured a carbon footprint of 1,707.97 metric tons of CO2e for this business unit, representing 25.53% of the corporate total. However, beyond mere measurement, the company has begun implementing concrete actions aimed at reducing these emissions, marking a transition toward more sustainable pharmaceutical logistics.

Decarbonizing Direct Operations and Transportation

The primary source of emissions lies in direct operations, which account for 1,368.51 metric tons of CO2e, mainly due to fuel use in distribution. Given this scenario, the decarbonization strategy focuses on transforming transportation efficiency.

To address this challenge, the company focuses its efforts on the following critical points:

• Fleet electrification: Product distribution is carried out using 100% electric panel vans, significantly reducing emissions associated with transport.
• Route optimization: Intelligent logistics planning to decrease travel distances and energy consumption.
• Efficient maintenance: Technical monitoring of units to ensure optimal performance and lower fuel consumption.

This approach allows for a reduction in carbon intensity per unit distributed, aligning operations with modern green logistics standards.

Efficiency in Electricity Consumption and the Cold Chain

Electricity consumption represents 290.04 metric tons of CO2e within the total footprint, derived primarily from the continuous operation of refrigeration and storage systems.

To reduce this impact, the company has implemented structural measures:

• Efficient infrastructure: Warehouses designed to optimize energy consumption without compromising the quality of the medications.
• Diversified energy backup systems: The use of multiple sources such as electrical energy, batteries, diesel generators, and complementary solutions that guarantee operational continuity.
• Constant monitoring and thermal control: This prevents energy loss and ensures stability within the cold chain.

Reducing Emissions in the Value Chain

The carbon footprint analysis also includes 188.70 metric tons of CO2e from external services and value chain activities, as well as 48.34 metric tons of CO2e due to technical losses in the electrical grid.

In response, Agencias J.I. Cohen drives a collaborative strategy based on:

• Selecting providers based on sustainability criteria.
• Optimizing outsourced logistics services.
• Continuous improvement in waste management and associated processes.

This approach allows the impact of decarbonization to extend beyond the company's own operations, integrating the entire logistics network.

From Measurement to Action: Low-Carbon Pharmaceutical Logistics

At the corporate level, the organization operates under an environmental model that allows it to offset and exceed its total greenhouse gas emissions. According to its 2024 sustainability report, the corporation manages to cover its emissions by 247.22%, achieving a net-positive balance thanks to carbon capture processes in its agricultural and forestry assets.

In this context, emissions generated by pharmaceutical operations, including distribution, cold chain, and infrastructure, are mitigated within this comprehensive strategy, which combines the use of renewable energy with environmental offset initiatives.

Consequently, Agencias J.I. Cohen is not only advancing in the reduction of its operational footprint but is also part of a carbon-positive corporate model, where logistics management is integrated into an environmental strategy that generates a favorable net impact.