Healthy planet, healthy people

Reinventing healthcare to be more sustainable has to be one of the top agenda items for those on a mission to make a difference to the world. Having just been awarded B Corp status at Magnetic, it’s a real privilege to be on that journey and to be joining a global community of businesses and organisations that prioritise people, planet and purpose.

The healthcare sector is responsible for almost 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions — in the UK the NHS alone creates more carbon emissions than Heathrow does annually. Not to mention the 15 million tonnes of plastic waste from the industry every year. Unless we cut the carbon footprint of the healthcare sector, its emissions could triple between now and 2050. So while I revel in the excitement of B Corp, I also recognise the need to help the health sector to do more — and to innovate faster.

This is especially critical as there’s a clear link between a healthy planet and our own health. Air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to human health (accounting for 1 in 20 deaths) and the degradation of biodiversity is leading to more infectious diseases.

There are some green shots and stuff already happening:

International Healthcare company, Bupa is tackling the health of our planet head on, with a new?sustainability strategy ?that’s focusing on creating greener spaces, recycling more plastic, investing in sustainable start-ups as well as decreasing carbon in their healthcare delivery.

The first UK insurer to become a B Corp were?Simplyhealth ?having made significant achievements in sustainability and creating ambitious future environmental and social responsibility goals. Katie Wadey (Chief Product & Commercial Officer, Simplyhealth) explains the impact of B Corp in driving progress for the sector;

“B Corp has been a phenomenal way of working as we help redesign the future of health, with the changing needs and expectations of our customers at the forefront. Healthcare in the UK must evolve now to be more personal, inclusive and sustainable. Collaboration is at the heart of the B Corp community and so together with Magnetic, we’re excited to be taking on this opportunity of making the world a better, healthier place. Congratulations to the whole Magnetic team on achieving B Corp certification — it’s a fantastic testament to the way you run your business and what you stand for”.

With B Corp now part of our DNA, we’re on a mission to design better futures and work alongside change makers to shape the future of health. Please get in touch if you share our passion to collaborate and make a difference in Health.

Author: Lucy Willett.

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