Joining the space race to Net Zero
By Jessie Beddis, Village Manager, Bupa New Zealand.
Growing up, I was always fascinated by outer space and the endless possibilities that came with the advent of rockets and satellites that could roam distant galaxies. And while I never pursued a career as an astronaut (yet), this intergalactic fascination has lingered in my consciousness over the years, never once did I think it would be a tangible part of my life… until now!
This year, I decided to challenge myself as part of my role at Bupa and volunteer for the eco-Disruptive program which gives employees the opportunity to form teams and work with start-ups to develop innovative solutions that improve the health of people and the planet.
My team, which is comprised of people across Bupa Asia Pacific decided to focus on the issue of urban restoration acknowledging the linkage between the health of a city’s eco-system and the health of the people who live there.
This year, I decided to challenge myself as part of my role at Bupa and volunteer for the eco-Disruptive program which gives employees the opportunity to form teams and work with start-ups to develop innovative solutions that improve the health of people and the planet.
Early visions
While we are only in the early stages of developing our solution, our broad goal is to leverage OPO's innovative tech with our health expertise, to put knowledge right at people's fingertips.
Picture this: You're taking a leisurely stroll in the park during spring, and your OPO app pings you about areas with more allergenic trees or better tree canopy coverage, helping you avoid those pesky allergies or unexpected sunburns. From a community involvement perspective, it can also give you ideas for where new trees or shrubs might best be planted to enhance the area.
An experience like no other
Thinking outside my regular role as Village Manager has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve been able to make new relationships and learn from fellow colleagues across APAC which has grown my skillset and passion for all things sustainability.
As we witness the effects of climate change and urbanisation on our environment, we've come to appreciate that our own well-being is intricately tied to the health of our surroundings. Urban restoration and regeneration aren't just fancy buzzwords; they're keys to unlocking a happier, healthier future.
By investing in greening our cities and promoting nature-centric healthcare, we have the power to reduce stress, boost our quality of life, and create a positive ripple effect in our communities. When we take care of our planet, we're taking care of ourselves, too. It's a win-win!
There is still lots of work to do ahead of the final presentation where we will showcase our prospective solution against teams from across Bupa’s network but I already feel like we are boldly stepping into a world where the well-being of the planet and its people intertwine in a beautiful, green dance, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it.
