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^[2].  

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^[3].”

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^[4]. 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.

For more information about Bupa’s sustainability strategy visit here.

^{[1] Carbon farming is managing land to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. This can be achieved by either storing carbon in soil and vegetation (sequestration) or avoiding greenhouse gases being released in the first place (emissions avoidance).
[2] Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator - Calculations and References | US EPA
Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator - Calculations and References | US EPA
[3] Urgent push to reduce emissions and costs, provide better patient care in Australia’s health system - Monash University}

From muddy play and eco-discos to talks, clean-ups, outdoor cinema, textile mending and seed propagation, RESET offers something for everyone. Whether you’re five or ninety-five, climate curious or creatively inclined, spring is the perfect time to RESET with a renewed commitment to everyday sustainable action. 

Melbourne Arts Precinct Director & CEO Katrina Sedgwick said, “Spring is the perfect time to take a breath, rethink and discover sustainable techniques to reduce waste, connect with nature and embrace greener living – all through RESET’s fun, family-friendly events, workshops, films and talks. Get your hands dirty, be present and empower the next generation to care for our planet."

Bupa APAC Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Roger Sharp said “Bupa is proud to partner with Fed Square on sustainability-focused programs such as RESET which highlight the essential connection between the health of people and the health of our planet, while reinforcing that everyone has a part to play.”

On the first Sunday of the festival (7 September), RESET will host a new event - Planting Party - a day of community action and celebration held in partnership with Creative Climate. The event includes morning tree planting at nine offsite locations across Melbourne facilitated by Landcare Victoria, followed by an afternoon gathering at Fed Square featuring a Wurundjeri Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, live music by The Orbweavers, gardening talks, seed propagation workshops and music-for-plants performances by Earworthy DJs. 

As part of the festival, Fed Square will unveil a major new textile installation by celebrated artist Sangeeta Sandrasegar, presented in partnership with the Australian Tapestry Workshop. Suspended from the ceiling in the open space of the Atrium, I ragazzi dei millefiori: the flow’rs of song and story comprises panels of silk organza and cotton, dyed various hues using natural plant dyes. Botanical illustrations and archival imagery are delicately embedded in the fabric - referencing the Millefiori Tapestry of Pistoia and early 1900s Italian flower sellers on Princes Bridge. Weaving together themes of migration, cultural identity and the deep histories of colour, craft and place, the artwork invites audiences to reflect on the ways plants and flowers carry stories of belonging, transformation and heritage. The work will be accompanied by public programs including artist talks and natural dye workshops led by master dyer Heather Thomas. 

Families can look forward to a host of engaging events which embrace simple sustainable habits including the much-loved Big Toy Swap (2 October), where children can exchange their gently loved toys, books and games for something new-to-them while learning about reuse and circularity; Earth Children (20–23 September), a hands-on sculptural workshop for younger children led by artist Serene Lau that invites participants to build an evolving cob metropolis using squishy, sustainable earth-based materials and Mini Beast Disco (30 September – 2 October), a rainbow-friendly eco-disco led by underground performance icons Betty Grumble and Dandrogyny, celebrating bugs, biodiversity and togetherness through performance and play. 

Fed Square’s Outdoor Cinema also returns for spring, presenting a free four-day screening series that pairs family favourites with environmental themes. Audiences can settle in for an afternoon of eco-conscious storytelling with Future Council (30 Sep), a documentary following eight young Australians exploring climate solutions; FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1 Oct), a 1992 animated classic about deforestation and magic; Flow (2 Oct), a haunting and dialogue-free tale of survival in a flooded world; and Shrek (3 Oct), reminding us - albeit obliquely - that love, acceptance and community matter in the face of difference. All films screen daily at 3pm on the Fed Square Big Screen. 

Opening on the first day of the festival is Nocturnal Worlds, a sound installation produced by Audiocraft in collaboration with the Australian Museum. From 1 - 10 September, Fed Square's Atrium will transform into an immersive sonic environment where visitors can drift through the haunting sounds of Australia’s elusive nocturnal creatures including Powerful Owls, Green Sea Turtles, Long-Finned Eels and more, while relaxing in a chill-out space that invites deep listening and quiet reflection.

On Saturday 6 September, a favourite Fed Square event returns - the Zero Waste Festival presented by Zero Waste Victoria. From repair cafés and clothes swaps to craft workshops, panel talks, a pop-up recycling centre and sustainable food trucks, the festival brings together leading voices and everyday heroes in waste reduction to share practical solutions and spark collective action. All stalls operate under a Create No Waste policy, and the festival will be powered by a closed-loop system thanks to Green My Plate. 

For those looking to lend a hand when it comes to sustainability, RESET is running two community days of action and connection. First up, World Clean Up Day takes place on Friday 19 September presented in partnership with Clean Up Australia and Bupa. Meet at Birrarung Marr Walk to help clean up the riverbank, then enjoy free tea, coffee and a classic sausage sizzle to celebrate your efforts. ForWorld Rivers Day on Sunday 28 September, be welcomed by the stirring sounds of the Climate Choir and a powerful performance by Djirri Djirri, the Wurundjeri women’s dance group. Then settle in at The Edge for an afternoon of storytelling, music and conversation, presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association as part of Birrarung Riverfest. 

Curious about bees? Don’t miss the Rooftop Beehive Tours (Saturday 4 October), guided by the experts at Rooftop Bees. See Fed Square’s rooftop hives up close and learn how these incredible pollinators support local ecosystems. Tours are limited to 20 people, so bookings are essential. 

On Saturday 4 October, green thumbs and creatives alike are invited to the open day in the Test Garden, planted next to the Skyline Car Park at Fed Square. The Test Garden demonstrates the naturalistic planting style of Laak Boorndap - the urban garden at the centre of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation. The morning features a talk with urban greening experts, Associate Professor Claire Farrell (University of Melbourne Burnley Campus) and Landscape Architect Jon Hazelwood (Hassell), followed by a hands-on natural dyeing workshop with artist Heather Thomas. Explore the role of plants and public spaces in shaping our sustainable future.

 Finally, circular fashion lovers can join Embroidery and Mending Workshops in The Atrium on Sunday 14 September. These drop-in sessions offer practical, decorative ways to refresh your wardrobe using traditional techniques and a little imagination.

My foray into sustainability and environmental appreciation started when my son started bringing home materials about science and climate change from high school. Soon, I enrolled in a Climate Leadership Project, alongside a global community of changemakers.

A personal passion

With increased curiosity in sustainability, I was compelled to apply when Bupa announced its talent and innovation programme, eco-Disruptive. Now in its fourth year, the initiative offers incredible opportunities to create real solutions, and this year with a theme of Healthy Societies, it is focused on removing the barriers people face when trying to access quality health care.

This year’s challenge areas include Inclusive Health, Supporting Disability and Illness Prevention.

This year's theme resonates with me because my work in Health Insurance gives me the privilege of talking to people about what is going on in their lives, their pressures and anxieties. I have become an empathetic listener, motivated to solve problems and offer the right advice. 

Scouting and selecting a start-up

Our team is made up of individuals from across Bupa’s Asia Pacific network, most of whom I have never worked with before. This made for a great opportunity to learn from people with a wide range of skillsets and mindsets.

The search for a start-up to partner with to prevent illness was gruelling. Everyone felt unsure where to start. And while this was a massive learning-curve, we were delighted to choose ‘Bloody Good Tests’ (or BGT) as the start-up to work alongside.

Bloody Good Tests (BGT) – early detection for a longer, healthier, happier life 

Bloody Good Tests Australia helps people get basic blood tests without the need for a GP referral, empowering individuals with accessible testing and actionable health insights.

We found through research that many of the top 10 chronic conditions (such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers) are preventable with early detection and lifestyle modifications. However, our health system is predominantly reactive, and the incidence of chronic diseases continues to rise. 

eco-Disruptive is an opportunity for each of us to be brave, caring and responsible and help make a difference.  As a team, we are pumped to make BGT a winner, so we can help people live longer, healthier happier lives.

On a personal note, I want a healthier planet for my son and all children, so I hope he looks up to me for doing something purposeful.

The Healthy Cities Challenge encourages Bupa’s people, community and corporate partners to adopt active lifestyle habits by getting moving any way they can during September to unlock investment into environmental projects to restore nature and create new green spaces in urban areas. The 2024 Challenge launches amidst Bupa research suggesting almost 50 per cent of Aussies are running, walking or cycling for fitness, with two-thirds of those who are running doing so to improve their mental health[1].

Bupa APAC CEO Nick Stone said while Bupa’s people gear-up for Healthy Cities 2024, funding from the 2023 program has already been put into action through a range of planting days in local communities.

“By combining physical activity with environmental action, the Healthy Cities Challenge brings to life our belief that to have healthy people, you need to have a healthy planet.

“With the activity and enthusiasm of participants, we want to build on the 650 million steps taken as part of last year’s Healthy Cities Challenge and create a groundswell of activity towards one billion collective steps in 2024 so we can revitalise even more green spaces with our restoration partners,” said Nick.

Landcare Australia joins Project Crimson Trust in New Zealand, which are involved for the second year as partners in Bupa’s Healthy Cities Challenge and will share in the $1 million committed to local restoration projects.

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr. Shane Norrish welcomed the opportunity to partner with Bupa to plant thousands of trees and shrubs that will create lasting environmental and health benefits in urban and peri-urban communities across Australia.

“This collaboration provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate and showcase the connection between human and planet health on a national scale,” Shane said. 

The Healthy Cities Challenge takes place as Bupa activates in Melbourne’s CBD in separate initiatives delivered in partnership with National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and Fed Square. As part of the NGV’s Reimagining Birrarung: Towards 2070 exhibition, Bupa will be supporting a range of activities designed to encourage audience reflection and action, and support people’s health through nature restoration.

This September Bupa will also support RESET at Melbourne’s iconic Fed Square – a month-long festival, focusing on environmental sustainability, connecting with nature, and promoting easy, enjoyable and useful ways to reduce our impact on the world.

Following Healthy Cities and RESET, Bupa will be sponsoring the 2024 Private Land Conservation Conference which provides landowners, government and business the opportunity to collaborate and explore opportunities to accelerate and expand nature action at corporate, community and individual levels.

Nick Stone said partnerships such as these are vital for helping people experience firsthand how adopting healthy habits in their day-to-day lives can positively impact their wellbeing and the cities they live in.

“Through a collective effort, we are committed to contributing to the restoration of our invaluable and distinctive ecosystems in Australia and New Zealand, all aimed at fostering a healthier planet for healthier people," Nick said.

Further information on Bupa’s Healthy Cities Challenge can be found here www.bupa.com.au/healthycities

[1] PowerPoint Presentation (bupa.com.au)

Director & CEO of Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co), Katrina Sedgwick OAM, highlighted the significance of RESET in fostering community-driven positive change and sparking the imagination of all ages.

“Following last year's success, the free RESET festival is back throughout September and October, including the school holidays, with a rich program for all the family, spanning art, culture, science, and learning."

"RESET is all about environmental sustainability - supporting people of all ages, right across our community, to make positive and impactful change in their daily lives," she said.

Bupa APAC Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Roger Sharp said events like RESET play an important role in provoking conversations about the environment while educating people on how to take practical actions for nature that benefits their health.

“We are extremely proud to be supporting RESET for the third year running to as part of our mission to help create healthier cities,” Roger said.

Running from 1 September to 6 October, RESET will feature a range of markets, artworks, film screenings, talks and participatory installations – free and catering to all ages – across Fed Square.

We welcome you to RESET this spring at Fed Square to refresh your ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and repair. For more information visit this link.

Roger Sharp, Bupa APAC Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer said supporting community organisations is a vital part of Bupa’s aim of creating a healthy planet for healthy people.

"These grants are not just much needed funds for organisations doing great work in our community; they also represent Bupa’s commitment to its founding purpose of helping people to live longer, healthier, happier lives and to make a better world”.

“As a health and care company, we know we need to work with others if we are going to help create a healthier planet for healthier people. And we need to take actions both large and small, particularly in local communities,” Roger said.

In 2023, the Bupa Foundation awarded close to $400,000 to groups such as RedKite, Assistance Dogs Australia and the Youth Climate Collective in New Zealand. Over the past year, these programs have demonstrated the profound impact that dedicated community organisations can have on the well-being of our society and environment.

"By expanding the Community Grants program by more than $120,000 in 2024 we are hoping to help make an even greater difference over the coming year and we encourage organisations who want to expand their impact to express their interest," Roger said.

Community organisations can apply for a grant here with Applications closing Friday 6 September 2024.

More information about the Bupa Foundation can be found here.

Through this investment in renewable electricity, it is estimated more than 26,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂-e) will be removed from the atmosphere annually - the equivalent of taking around 6,000 cars off the road each year^[4].

Roger Sharp, Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer, Bupa APAC, said this achievement was made possible as a result of a dedicated focus on finding solutions to support a healthy planet for healthy people.

“The healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions^[5]. So, as a healthcare organisation, we recognise our responsibility to play a role to play in reducing Bupa’s impact on the environment,” Roger said.

“We want our customers and employees to know that when they visit any Bupa clinic, retail store, corporate office or aged care home across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, that it is 100% powered by renewable electricity^[6].

“Along with the passion and dedication of our people, we couldn’t have delivered such a significant reduction in Bupa APAC’s carbon emissions without committed and supportive partners such as Pacific Blue, CLP Power Hong Kong and Ecotricity^[7],” Roger added.

Bupa continues to support ongoing programs and campaigns to enable our people and customers to reduce their carbon footprint and promote biodiversity. This includes Bupa Foundation partnerships, relationships with the start-up community, a greater focus on energy efficiency and Bupa’s Healthy Cities program which this year provided AUD$1 million in funding for environmental projects across Asia Pacific while promoting healthy lifestyles.

“Across Bupa, there’s a growing understanding that every act counts and through more of these ‘small steps’ we can achieve major environmental benefits across our Asia Pacific and global network.

“As a result of this work, we remain on track to achieve our 2025 carbon reduction targets^[8]. These are big wins, but there remains a lot of work to do as we strive to become a true Net Zero emissions business,” Roger said.

For more information on how Bupa is reducing its environmental impact across the globe visit here.

^{[1] This will be reviewed on an annual basis as part of Bupa’s annual carbon footprint audit process conducted by an independent third party.
[2] GreenPower retail contracts are sourced via landlord management and AGL.
[3] Asia Pacific renewable electricity breakdown for year to October 2023: Australia Large Market PPA (47%), New Zealand PPA (38%), Australia Small Market PPA (7%), Hong Kong RECs (4%), Bupa Australia purchased RECs (3%), Australian Landlord purchased renewable electricity (1%).
[4] Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator | US EPA
[5] The ‘win win’ pathway to net zero for the health sector (pwc.com.au)
[6] Locations under Bupa operational control
[7] Bupa New Zealand’s renewable electricity is 100% derived from PPAs.
[8]New renewable electricity deal puts Bupa Asia Pacific on course to deliver 2025 carbon reduction target}

At home, this might be recycling more or walking to work instead of driving, while at work this may mean your business switching to renewable energy or reducing the use of single-use plastics. These are practices I have definitely become more engaged in since I joined Bupa’s eco-Disruptive program.

Discussing sustainability with my teammates and sustainable start-ups on a daily basis has definitely opened my eyes to the challenges facing our planet and the undeniable link between the health of the planet and the health of people.

Blind spots

Nevertheless, I have realised that no matter how hard one looks in the mirror or at one’s own activities there is a Scope 3 blind spot impairing our ability to achieve Net Zero.

But what are they?

Scope 3 emissions encompasses emissions that are not produced by the company itself, but by those that it's indirectly responsible for up and down its value chain. Think raw materials, resellers and rubbish collection. This makes it tricky to address and sometimes even tricker to identify.

A solution? 

Our team knew Scope 3 was a problem, but it was only when we engaged ClimateClever, that we opened our eyes to the new and novel innovative ways businesses could track and manage those emissions.

At its core, ClimateClever is empowered by cutting-edge software, designed to empower users to calculate, monitor, and benchmark their carbon footprints. Moreover, it provides the means to create individualized, data-driven sustainability action plans, offset emissions, and procure comprehensive carbon footprint reports. As part of a seamless digital platform, your suppliers just need to tag their emissions directly to projects or events which will then aggregate into your own impact score.

This is a vital tool because for many businesses, Scope 3 emissions account for more than 70 per cent of their carbon footprint.

The journey

We know that an app cannot be the be-all and end-all of sustainability reporting and that healthcare is a complex and humungous system comprised of thousands of suppliers, properties and practitioners. However, through a limited pilot, we hope to show how live digital tagging of Scope 3 emissions can be part of the conversation to simplify the process somewhat and more importantly shed light on the direct environmental impacts of non-direct business activities. 

There may be a long way to go towards decarbonising healthcare, but we know we can’t shy away from big challenges. So, here’s to taking a big swing for a big impact on the health of the planet and the health of humankind.

My eco-Disruptive team accepted an important mission: to reshape industries, challenge the status quo, and accelerate the shift toward a more sustainable world. But we were missing one important element, a start up to work with. 

Enter Coolsan! 

Waste not want not  

Our team was undoubtedly looking to produce something ground-breaking, something that could be a real difference-maker in the health industry and indeed broader society. But first, we needed to find a specific problem to address.  

 Then it dawned on us, that perhaps production itself is a problem that needs fixing, specifically food. It shocked us to learn that one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted and that up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gases comes from food that is produced, but not eaten¹.

This led us to Coolsan, a passionate start up with an amazing product, ChillSafe. This remarkable innovation, when placed in a cool room or fridge, absorbs water vapor from the air, triggering the activation of ultra-low-dose hydrogen peroxide vapor. This vapor plays a pivotal role in preserving fresh produce by inhibiting bacteria, mould, and spore viability, breaking down ethylene gas, reducing odours, and preventing biofilm formation. 

Translation: Food stays fresher for longer; you won’t be needing to throw out your coriander after just buying it from the market! 

The possibilities  

Whether it’s in an aged care home, hospital or rehab facility, food plays a major role in the healthcare industry.  That’s why we are working on a solution with Coolsan that will help us reduce spoilage and promote the use of fresh foods and ingredients within those facilities.  

After all, if your fresh fruits and veggies are lasting longer you are more likely to use them in place of packaged options that are often more plastic intensive. Fresher food also means better nutrition – win win. 

Our magic recipe for success is mixing their tech-know-how with our healthcare expertise, data and insights. 

A cause for optimism 

As I continue to bridge the gap between healthcare and sustainability, I am motivated by the belief that positive change is within our reach. Together, through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions like ChillSafe, we can shape a brighter and more sustainable future for all. 

Watch this space! 

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.  

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.

As part of the initial pilot, Bupa will begin utilising products such as 100 per cent biodegradable Cassava Bags Australia bin liners and kitchen waste products along with clinical products such as headrests and tray sleeves across a number of Bupa Dental practices around Australia.

Roger Sharp, Bupa’s Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer for Asia Pacific said this partnership is extremely important in demonstrating that Bupa can deliver healthcare in more sustainable ways by collaborating and thinking innovatively.

"As a large organisation, we currently use thousands of plastic products every year that are necessary for hygiene and often cannot be reused or recycled, so taking action to find sustainable alternatives which we can incrementally scale up is a real priority for us.

“This partnership is a testament to our people who worked with Cassava Bags Australia as part of Bupa’s eco-Disruptive program and we can’t wait to see what comes next,” Roger said.

This announcement builds on an existing initiative from Bupa Dental to start to move away from plastics across a range of common dental care products such as cups, syringe sleeves, barrier film and X-Ray sensor sleeves.

Bruce Rossi, CEO and President of Purpose of Cassava Bags Australia said this pilot will aim to showcase how small steps can make a big difference when it comes to sustainability in healthcare.

“With Bupa’s support, we look forward to developing new initiatives across the consumer, business and healthcare sectors to help stem the tide of global plastic pollution,” said Mr Rossi.

Bupa’s partnership with Cassava Bags Australia and the eco-Disruptive program play an important role in Bupa’s global sustainability strategy.

This comes amidst new studies from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggesting global temperatures are now 1.1℃ above pre-industrial levels and are likely to reach 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels in the early 2030s.  This seemingly small increase in temperate has severe and irreversible consequence, particularly for many of the animals and species we share our planet with.

Earth Hour is something that aligns well with Bupa’s Net Zero and One Health ambitions and our belief that protecting the planet is essential if we are to protect the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities around the world.

The Earth Hour paradox

Indeed, if done absent-mindedly, Earth Hour can almost pass unnoticed as you go about your life as normal, post-switch-flick, with the glow of your smartphone or PC replacing the lights in your home. So how can we avoid falling into this trap and turning Earth Hour into “Earth Second”?

Perhaps it’s using the event as an opportunity to flick a switch in your mind and think deeply about the connection between the health of our planet and the health of all people and what we can do the following day, week, month etc… as individuals and as corporate citizens to make a positive impact.

Where to start?

The concept of protecting our planet can be a daunting task given the enormity of the challenge, and quite frankly, many of us are not in the best brainstorming state of mind on a Saturday night! As such, I find a great place to start is thinking about a person or organisation who has inspired me recently. Exploring their ambitions and actions can be a great jump-off point to develop new ideas.

In recent times I have had the pleasure of meeting a lotof extraordinary sustainability leaders and organisations (both big and small) as part of my role at Bupa. And I know exactly where my mind will wander to this Earth Hour… Fire Rescue Victoria... hopefully not because of a candle mishap!

 A cause for inspiration

The reason Fire Rescue Victoria will occupy my thoughts is because I had the honour of presenting them with a Banksia Sustainability Award last night, where Bupa sponsored a new award category for Health & Wellbeing.

Along with being an emergency service provider in my home state of Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria has also been undertaking significant work in protecting the health of the environment and local communities by developing solutions aimed at reducing the usage of chemicals used in firefighting foams.

These “polyfluoroalkyl substances” or PFAS chemicals are of concern because they are highly mobile in water (so travel long distances from their source); do not fully break down naturally in the environment and have been linked to health issues for both people and animals.

Along with leading decontamination initiatives in fire stations and establishing safe PFAS threshold limits for firefighters, Fire Rescue Victoria has been active in delivering key PFAS-related submissions to Federal and State Governments and the United Nations. They were worthy winners of a Banksia Award with whom I was humbled to share the stage.

Turning inspiration into action

These organisations are often the unsung heroes of the sustainability movement, working tirelessly to protect our natural resources, promote sustainable living, and create a healthier future for all. Recognising the unique power of smaller organisations is a key reason we developed the eco-Disruptive program which sees us partner with sustainable start-ups to create innovative environmental solutions.

 So maybe this Earth Hour, try not to start the 60 minutes by thinking of a blue-sky idea on your own, maybe think about an organisation or person whose values echo yours and find a way to support them to amplify them to build them into something greater than they are.

In just one hour, I’ll bet you can think of dozens of ways you could partner with them through volunteering, fundraising or advocacy to make a meaningful and lasting difference together.

 As we mark Earth Hour this Saturday, let's all take a moment to reflect on the interconnectedness of our planet and the health of people. Let's commit to taking action to protect our environment and create a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

 Most importantly, let’s not try to solve all the world’s problems on our own in just one hour. Rather, flick the switch and think about who you could solve the world’s problems with.

In addition to an increased focus on supporting efforts to close the gap in health equity, Bupa will uplift existing efforts to purchase goods and services from First Nations suppliers and increase efforts to recruit, retain, and advance First Nations employees within the organisation.

This is complemented by an ongoing commitment to build cultural awareness and understanding with our people, our customers and the broader community.

Beyond fostering new opportunities for First Nations people within our organisation, Bupa will seek to partner with First Nations-led healthcare organisations and other institutions to help support better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Nick Stone, incoming Acting CEO for Bupa APAC, said these key focus areas reflect Bupa’s strengths and scale as a diverse health and care company and believes this where Bupa can make the most difference in its commitment to reconciliation.

“The conversation about how best to work with Australia’s Traditional Owners and learn from one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world is gaining momentum as we prepare for an expected referendum on a constitutional voice to Parliament, which Bupa supports.”

Bupa launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan in 2015 followed by an updated plan in 2018.

“The development of our latest Reconciliation Action Plan has been an important one for us, empowering our people to grow our understanding and awareness of First Nations cultures and reflect on the true histories and challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities.

“It has provided a framework under which we now deliver tangible social, cultural and economic benefits for and with First Nations peoples,” Mr Stone said.

To read Bupa's Reconciliation Action Plan click here.

People’s health and the health of the planet are intrinsically linked, which is why sustainability is core to Bupa’s strategy and purpose.

Bupa’s Chief Sustainability and People Officer, Nigel Sullivan, said:

“We have decided to partner with the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition to accelerate the progress needed to meet our ambition to become a net zero business by 2040.

We know we cannot secure a sustainable future alone. This means learning from each other, piloting new ideas, sharing insights and innovations openly. We must then ensure this knowledge is embedded in our organisations to provide and accelerate innovative and sustainable healthcare.”

The 30 GWh per year agreement will save over 25,000 tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere each year, the equivalent of taking over 5,500 cars off the road annually.

Bupa Asia Pacific CEO Hisham El-Ansary said this clean power initiative forms a significant milestone in the company’s ambition to become a Net Zero business by 2040, driven by its focus on helping to create a healthy planet for healthy people.

“As a health and care company, we consider it vital to lead with action reducing our environmental footprint in delivering healthcare, particularly given the strong links between the health of the environment and human health.

“While there is still a lot of work to do across our Australian and global operations, this partnership with Pacific Hydro reflects tangible actions we are taking towards delivering on our Net Zero target. 

“More broadly, we want to lead and be a part of efforts across the wider healthcare sector as it seeks to significantly reduce its carbon emissions,” Mr El-Ansary said.

To power this agreement, a variety of Pacific Hydro’s renewable energy assets across Australia are being utilised, including Victoria’s very first commercial wind farm in Codrington, The Drop Hydro in NSW which uses the Southern Hemisphere’s largest irrigation channel, along with South Australia’s Clements Gap Wind Farm, and several more.

Bupa is the first Australian healthcare organisation to partner with Pacific Hydro, joining a group of renowned companies, universities, and local councils. By choosing Pacific Hydro, these large organisations drive demand for future renewable energy projects across Australia.

Domenic Capomolla, Pacific Hydro’s CEO, said that he was delighted with the Bupa partnership announced today.

“As one of the pioneers of Australia’s renewable energy industry, we’re leading Australia’s transition to a clean energy future and are thrilled to be helping Bupa achieve their Net Zero goals.

“Providing renewable energy to companies such as Bupa builds the demand necessary for us to develop new assets in Australia. We currently reduce over 1.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, and our portfolio remains 100% renewable. As we continue to grow our generation and retail arms, we’re proud to be establishing a new normal, where running on renewables is accessible, cost effective, and helps our partners and customers reduce their emissions,” said Mr Capomolla.

Media reference number: 22/102

1. A reactive model: Build a dam to hold back a river
2. A proactive model: Nurture that river and give it room to evolve

The proactive model certainly takes a lot more work, but it creates more meaningful results and connections between a business and its customers. The same can also be said of humanities retention activities with planet earth.

Are we as people just trying to hold back the tide of climate change by reacting to the facts on the ground? Or are we actively looking for ways to improve the health of our planet?

We’re at an important point in history where businesses need to take leadership roles in creating the change necessary for a bright future for our people and our planet. This is why I’m really proud that Bupa has introduced the eco-Disruptive program, a global initiative that sees teams work with startups or social enterprises to identify and shape innovative solutions to environmental challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

My team has a specific focus on the idea of circular economy and responsible consumption which is essentially about how we take a resource and use it for the most amount of times during its lifecycle.

For example, a disposable coffee cup is something you use once but it can take many years to break down (a big problem when you consider Australians use 1 billion disposable cups a year). Whereas an edible takeaway coffee cup, which our start-up partner Good Edi is developing, is something you can use once and then eat it or it will break down naturally.

We are just in the early stages of our partnership, but I’m really enjoying the positivity and how its opening our eyes to other opportunities for more responsible consumption. When you think of the challenges facing planet earth, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by how the future might look bleak, but when you take a proactive approach and start to think about the scalable possibilities you start to believe that we can not only retain the earth’s wellbeing but also nurture it into a state of flourishment.

For more information on Bupa’s eco-Disruptive program visit here.

For more information on Good Edi visit here.

Creating a true digital wallet experience, customers can also pay for gap payments simply and securely using Apple Pay.

Emily Amos, Managing Director Bupa Health Insurance, said the new card was introduced in response to high demand from customers, who were increasingly using tap payments on their devices.

“We know our customers are using their phones and smartwatches to buy groceries, tap on to public transport and pay for their morning coffees, so it’s no surprise that they now expect to be able to make their Bupa claims with a quick tap of their device,” Ms Amos said.

“We’re always looking to enhance our products and services so they are both good for our customers and good for our planet. With Bupa digital membership cards now available in Apple Wallet, we’re pleased to be reducing the amount of paper and plastic used in the claiming process, while also providing a secure way to make a claim and pay” she added.

Ms Amos said Bupa expects hundreds of thousands of customers will be able to benefit from the new digital card.

“Now more than ever we want to make health insurance simple to use and relevant for our customers. Keeping up with trends in technology and customer experiences is a core part of that.

“New customers can choose to opt out of a physical card and take up the digital option during the sign up process while existing customers can upgrade to a digital card using the MyBupa App. Our teams will be available in our stores, on the phone or online to help with any customer questions.

“For new customers, it also means that once they sign up, they won’t need to wait for a physical card in the mail. From the moment they are a Bupa member, they are ready to tap and claim,” Ms Amos said.

Customers can add their health insurance membership card to Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch using the MyBupa app. 

Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Wallet. When customers add a health insurance membership card to Apple Wallet, the customer identifier number is encrypted during transmission to the terminal and is then only decrypted by HICAPS and then passed on to the customer’s health insurer. Apple doesn’t receive any information about the health insurance claim as there is a direct, encrypted connection between the user’s device and the HICAPS terminal.

To sign up to a Bupa digital card or to learn more, visit our website.

Bupa customers using Android phones can also switch to a Bupa digital membership card using MyBupa.

One of the emerging decisions consumers are beginning to make is which business to partner with based on their commitment to sustainable development. Today, more and more of my friends and colleagues are moving their money to greener investment vehicles, enquiring about the labour practices in the production of their clothing and ensuring household items are biodegradable. In short, people are seeing there is a clear link between people and planetary health and are becoming more conscious of their decisions and their impact on the world around us.

We at Bupa are curious and open to anything we can do to improve our business or customer experience. That collective mindset helped form a great program I’m proud to be a part of called eco-Disruptive.

I remember the first time I heard about the program and it made me think about my personal life. I am an avid camper and enjoy getting into the outdoors as much as possible, there is a program I participate in called ‘Three for the sea’ where each person picks up three items of rubbish from the beach and puts them in the appropriate bins later.

These small actions are important, but I have often wished I could contribute to something bigger. That is why I jumped at the opportunity to join Bupa’s eco-Disruptive program which empowers start-ups, social enterprises and Bupa employees to work together on solutions that improve people's health and the health of the planet.

The eco-Disruptive program has given me hope and tools to contribute in a bigger way to make a better world. Partnering with Eco Start-ups and Social Enterprises will change and disrupt the way we currently do business and help people live, longer, healthier, happier lives.

We look forward to all of Bupa coming on the journey with us.

You can learn more about the eco-Disruptive program here.

As one people we benefit from the natural wonders and produce of our planet while simultaneously being susceptible to pandemics, food shortages and global warming when we don’t fiercely protect it.

Polar Ice Caps in Greenland are melting due to increasing sea temperatures; Australia is experiencing longer bushfire seasons, animals in the Asia-Pacific region are developing novel diseases as a result of mass storage; and pollution levels in some Indian cities are affecting peoples’ ability to spend time outside.

We are seeing a mass realisation that these momentous challenges to life on earth are not isolated catastrophes but in fact localised manifestations of a global issue that threatens our very existence.

As a health and care company, we know that in order to have healthy people, we need a healthy planet. This is why we are stepping up our efforts on sustainability and we know that small actions taken collectively across the world will make a big difference.

We have recently installed 36,000 energy-efficient LED lights in our aged care homes, prevented the creation of 1 million plastic cards annually by introducing digital health insurance membership cards and shifted to  100% recyclable bags in our optical stores.

We are also working on some more significant initiatives, involving our staff, customers and communities which will be implemented over the coming months.

As a public demonstration of our commitment to climate action globally, we will join hundreds of millions of people in supporting The World Wide Fund for Nature’s Earth Hour initiative on Saturday 27 March.

Along with homes and businesses around the world, we will turn off the lights in our corporate offices along with the prominent Bupa Cube in the lobby of our Melbourne headquarters.

It’s just an hour and it may be just a symbol, but we intend play to our part in raising awareness of climate change and taking meaningful action to better care for our people and planet into the future.

Media reference enumber: 20/123

Bupa Optical & Hearing Director Guneet Sawhney noted this initiative as a step-forward in Bupa’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

“We used close to 100,000 laminated cardboard bags in our stores last year that could not be recycled, so taking action to find a sustainable solution was critical.

“This change to FSC paper ensures our new bags for optical purchases are made using sourced responsibly materials and sustainable business practices.

“There were 100,000 reasons for us to make this change. Moving to recyclable bags might seem like a small change, but it can have a significant impact on the environment,” said Guneet.

Bupa Optical also participates in a convenient recycling program for contact lenses, where customers can bring in their old disposable contact lenses and packaging to be recycled in-store.

For more information on Bupa’s commitment to making a positive and sustainable difference for our people, customers, communities and the environment visit here.

Media reference number: 20/113

At Bupa, we recognise that to have healthy people, you need a healthy planet. To help our people and our customers live longer, healthier and happier lives, supporting the health of our environment is critical.

That’s why Bupa is committed to building sustainable, future-proof communities that support the health of our people and customers while minimising our impact through innovation in health and care.

Small actions can improve the environments where we work and live. With many of us working from home, I thought I’d share eight tips on how to improve your sustainability@home.

1. Get local - support your independent and local businesses. You can:

• Have a dedicated night getting take-away or going to a local restaurant.
• Buy items from independent shops with locally or nationally made products.
• Look for companies that have pivoted such as those in the arts and entertainment sector. An example I love is from Stage Kings who have turned from making stages, to producing home office furniture.

2. Get energy smart. You can:

• Review your electricity and gas rates. If you live in Victoria, you get paid $50 just for checking how your electricity and/or gas compares to other rates in your area.
• Be strategic. Run the dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dryer off-peak (typically 11pm to 7am) or at the weekends. Off-peak is cheaper, sometimes by as much as 40 per cent.
• Be mindful of how often you need to wash your clothes. Try airing them outside for a day or two first (under cover). Dry your clothes in a north or west facing area that gets sunlight.
• Don’t overwork your heater. Dress for the temperature inside by wearing jumpers, beanies, slippers. Keep your feet warm too – they cool down more quickly than other areas of your body because they are hairless and their blood vessels easily dissipate heat. Your head is responsible for up to 10 per cent of your heat losses.

3. Get water smart – your water bills are going to rise. You can:

• Get to know your washing machine. The short cycle may give you the same clean clothes outcome as longer cycles. It uses less electricity and less water. Think of it like your dishes – do you have oil caked on your clothes (longer wash with more detergent) or breadcrumbs on a plate (quick rinse with minimal need for detergent)? Give it go.
• If you run the shower to let the water get warm, use a bucket to capture this water and use it in your toilet or garden.
• When you rinse your fruits and vegetables, save that water and use it on your houseplants.

4. Get gardening – by connecting with nature you can help improve your mental health and benefit from getting more active too. can grow:

• Herbs in small pots on your window sill.
• Vegetables in containers such as lettuce, radishes, broadbeans, carrots even potatoes.
• Carrots, bok choy and leeks can be regrown by replanting the ends (and in some cases, you can eat the leaves too). Check out these tips…

5. Get indoor plants. These release oxygen, may help remove some indoor air pollutants and caring for your indoor plants can help you feel more relaxed. Here are a few varieties that don’t need direct sunlight:

• Devil’s Ivy
• Zanzibar Gem
• Peace Lily

6. Get composting – there are a myriad of composting systems out there, even for apartment dwellers. You can:

• Buy a composting system at a reduced rate from Compost Revolution.
• Donate your waste to someone with spare capacity via sharewaste.com/.
• Compost your scraps by digging the scraps into your soil to replace the nutrients (trench composting). You may even get an unintended (vegetable) outcome from it….

7. Get upcycling – this is where you change the use of something that you don’t need or use and make it into something you do use. You can:

• Turn a torn pair of jeans into a draft excluder or door snake.
• Use plastic supermarket food containers or a takeaway coffee cup to grow seeds in.

8. Get your biodiversity going. You can:

• Avoid using chemicals such as herbicides and insecticides in the garden.
• Use native and Indigenous plants in your garden.
• Create an insect hotel to support beneficial insects such as solitary bees (pollinators) and wasps (garden pest control).

More details on the above and other great resources can be found at the Sustainable Gardening Australia website.

Media reference number: 20/064