A brave commitment to making a better world

“Given how it is to feel as an individual powerless sometimes, it’s fantastic to work for an organisation that takes climate action seriously.”

“What better goal to represent our Brave, Caring AND responsible values.”

These are just two of the comments made by Bupa employees when we announced our climate ambitions last week and outlined our targets to become a net zero business by 2040. It has been heartening to see such a positive response from our Bupa people right around the world, with energy for making impactful change in all parts of our business.

I have been thinking a lot about that first comment – sometimes as individuals it is easy to feel powerless to make a difference. Now is a good time to be thinking about this, with world leaders gathering in Glasgow for COP26 to tackle the climate challenges ahead of us.

As we commit to targets and strive for major progress, how do we harness the spirit and passion of individuals who want to make a difference?

We have 85,000 people caring for our customers across Bupa who are now at the very heart of delivering the changes we need to make as a business to reach net zero carbon emissions. It will not be easy – nothing worth doing ever is – but we are in this together and supported by partners and inspired by like-minded businesses leading with ambition to decarbonise the world around us.

For Bupa, joining the UN’s Race to Zero and setting our science-based targets is a big commitment. It’s one that brings to life our new Bupa values: brave, caring and responsible.

We have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to improve understanding about how human health is impacted by the environment, and we will use our global position to educate and advocate for both healthy people and planet. Individuals from all areas of our business will be able to play their part in making this a reality – from care workers and call centre employees, to actuaries and administrators - and everyone in between. We need to embed climate action into our decision making at Bupa – and all our employees are part of this change.

We’ve already seen the energy of our people for making a better world manifest itself through our amazing eco-Disruptive programme. Over the past few months, throughout Australia, Spain, Chile and the UK, more than 120 of our Bupa people have worked hard with eco start-ups to develop a minimum viable product. I am excited to see where they get to at the country finals towards the end of this month.

Our Net Zero commitment is big and brave and we’re just at the very beginning. The bigger, braver work begins now as we work to transform Bupa into a business that not only helps our customers to live longer, healthier, happier lives but also makes a better world.?

It will be a journey but knowing that our workforce is passionate and ready to step up and take action to make a better world in turn inspires and energises me greatly.

Let’s do this Bupa!?