Today (5th June) is World Environment Day and now, more than ever, it’s important that we take the opportunity to think about how we protect our planet as we recover from the impacts of this pandemic. As co-executive sponsor of our Environment and Climate Change agenda, and a former environmental scientist, the environment is a topic that has been very close to my heart for many years.
In recent months, there has been a drastic change in our lives and the way we do business as a result of COVID-19. Pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have fallen significantly as countries try to contain the spread of the virus and adapt their economic activity. Could this lead to long lasting change and contribute to a more sustainable future?
This by no means mitigates, nor makes any less devastating, the human cost of the outbreak; thousands of untimely deaths, long-lasting health effects for those who recover, the mental health impact of restrictive quarantine measures, and the financial impact on businesses and people. But what this has served to highlight is that when it comes to solving the climate crisis, we can create significant change when we come together.
At Bupa we’re committed to supporting a sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery effort. We are continuing to focus on playing our part to respond to the impacts of climate change and making a positive contribution to the health of the wider community.
To talk about this in greater detail, I recently hosted a virtual panel with corporate responsibility and sustainability leaders from across Bupa, including Cathy Cummings Director of Corporate Responsibility and Public Affairs for Bupa in Europe and Latin America, Anna Russell, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability for Bupa UK. Anna is also the Director of the Bupa UK Foundation. And, Dr Zoe Wainer a clinician by background and the Head of Public Health for Bupa Australia and New Zealand.
The podcast is available to listen or download on SoundCloud. I hope you enjoy the discussion as much as I did.
Happy World Environment Day,
Nigel Sullivan
Chief People Officer
Nigel Sullivan
Chief Sustainability and People Officer
