In a healthy move towards achieving its Net Zero ambitions, Bupa has today announced a significant nature regeneration and decarbonisation project through the purchase and regeneration of a 250-hectare farm in Victoria's South Gippsland region.
Over the coming 25 years, the Bupa Nature Regeneration Project at Mount Eccles intends to bring back local wildlife and rejuvenate the site with more than 200,000 native trees and shrubs including Blue Gum, Blackwood and Silver Wattle. The amount of carbon intended to be captured in plants, trees and soil over the life of the project is estimated to be around 200,000 tonnes, the equivalent of the greenhouse gas emissions created by simultaneously recharging sixteen billion smartphones.
Bupa Asia Pacific CEO, Nick Stone said: We're already seeing the impacts of climate change on the health of Australians with increases in pollution related illnesses and extreme weather events impacting hospitalisation rates.
"There's increasing evidence that in the long-term, reducing the impacts of climate change will keep more people out of hospital," Mr Stone said.
"However, we also can't shy away from the fact that the healthcare sector is a significant contributor to both waste and emissions, responsible for around 5.4 per cent of the nation's total emissions each year."
By undertaking this nature regeneration project, along with its other carbon emission reduction programs, Bupa is committed to cleaning the environment, creating a healthier Australia and reducing the burden on the healthcare system.
"Tangible actions such as nature regeneration and local carbon sequestration projects are major priorities under our sustainability strategy. That's why we're proud that Bupa in Australia is taking a leading position as the first business in the global Bupa Group to undertake this kind of investment.
"At a local level, the introduction of native plants and trees, will help attract wildlife back to the area, and we're also expecting to make a positive impact on the overall rejuvenation of the wider farm surrounds," Mr Stone said.
Bupa has also contributed to nature regeneration through initiatives such as its Healthy Cities Challenge, which has seen the organisation contribute more than $3 million in the region to nature regeneration projects through partnerships with organisations such as Landcare Australia. Bupa also made the move to 100 per cent renewable electricity in all of its locations across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, removing an estimated 26,500 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere annually.
Bupa Asia Pacific Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Roger Sharp said: "We know every action we take can make a difference. By consistently taking these small steps, we're able to drive environmental action across our Asia Pacific and global network.
"We know our customers and the broader community want us to do more to address climate change, with our research suggesting 46 per cent of people are feeling stressed about the impact society is having on the environment. That's why we're committed to working collaboratively with community, regulatory and health sector partners, along with our people and customers to drive innovative and lasting change," Mr Sharp said.
The Bupa Nature Regeneration Project at Mount Eccles will have no impact on health insurance premiums or other healthcare delivery costs for customers and has been registered by the Clean Energy Regulator.
