Great news – Bupa is officially committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), joining companies worldwide in following the science in framing action to reduce carbon emissions. I am particularly proud that Bupa is one of the first large healthcare organisations joining the initiative.
Science-based targets show companies how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.
We are intensifying our focus in this area and committing to the SBTi is only the first step. We are determined to reach net zero carbon emissions and are working on our timeframe to get there.
Climate change represents a major threat for people and planet and 2021 could be the turning point for tackling it. The pandemic has refocused priorities and caused individuals and governments alike to pay closer attention to the environment. 2021 is the year of COP26, the United Nations Climate Change conference, which is being described as the most significant climate event since the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Taking action against climate change is critical for us as a company because of the impact that it has on health. People’s health and the health of the planet are interconnected and interdependent. We can’t look after one without taking care of the other. Reducing our emissions and looking at our own operations is only the first step of our journey. Expect to hear more on this over the coming months.
