Bupa’s continued commitment to improving the environment has been given the green seal of approval in the UK and Chile.
A number of Bupa’s UK sites have successfully obtained recertification against the new ISO 14001 (2015) Environmental Management standard – which is an internationally recognised standard for environmental management.
The audit highlighted a number of successful initiatives, including an initiative across Bupa’s UK offices to reduce the number of paper cups used, replacing them with ‘Keep Cups’ or mugs, and an approach to reducing food waste at its London headquarters.
A number of initiatives at Amberley Court care home in Birmingham were also highlighted as a success, including its proactive approach to energy saving, examples of upcycling such as pallets that would have gone as waste being up-cycled to make and repair benches for residents, and the organisation of recycling bins to maximise recycling.
Anna Russell, Corporate Responsibility Director, Bupa UK, said: “We’re passionate about minimising the environmental impact of our operations and this is a core part of our corporate responsibility and sustainability strategy. However, we can never be complacent, and we’re focused on doing more to continue to reduce our environmental impact.”
Meanwhile, Bupa Chile, has become the first health group in the country to receive the ERNC certification delivered by electricity and gas distributor Enel. It recognises that 100% of the facilities of the group where Bupa is able to choose the provider are supplied by electricity from renewable origins such as solar and wind. This includes Bupa’s largest hospital, Bupa Santiago Hospital in Chile, which operates using 100% clean energy.
More than 50% of Bupa Chile’s electricity comes from these sources, with a goal to increase this to 80% in the coming years. Based on several initiatives like this, in the next five years Bupa Chile will reduce its carbon footprint by more than 39,800 tons, which means on average almost 8,000 tons less carbon each year being emitting to the environment – the equivalent of taking 1,700 cars off the road.
Carlos Jaureguizar, General Manager, Bupa Chile, said: “For Bupa Chile the protection of the environment and the development of our activity with the least impact on the ecosystem is fundamental. That is why we are developing various initiatives such as the rational use of energy and water, and the correct disposal of waste, which undoubtedly also contributes to our purpose to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives."
Globally, more than 50% of Bupa’s electricity now comes from renewable energy sources and almost 100% of electricity used in Bupa’s facilities in Spain, Denmark and the UK comes from renewable sources.
About Bupa
Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.
We are an international healthcare company serving over 31 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers.
We directly employ around 85,000 people, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, Chile, Poland, New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, the US, Middle East and Ireland. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia and India.
