Delivering healthcare has an environmental impact. As a healthcare company we must take action to reduce that impact – starting with reducing our own impact on the environment.
This means reducing our own emissions in line with science, but also the emissions of our suppliers and partners. We’re also transforming our products and services to be more sustainable.
We’re championing innovation using our health expertise, and mobilising partners to build a greater understanding of how people's health is impacted by the health of the planet.
In 2022-2023 Bupa partnered with Trees that Count to plant thousands of native trees that Kiwis can enjoy for over a thousand years.
With the support of over 600 volunteers, we planted 25,000 native trees creating three legacy forests in ‘Pirimai Walkway Planting Project in Napier, Waiwhakareke Heritage Park in Hamilton, and the Te Ara Kākāriki Project in Christchurch.
Te Ara Kakariki/Canterbury Greenway Trust aims to create a native greenway connecting the Canterbury foothills with the sea and Lake Ellesmere. So far they have planted almost 97,000 native plants at 84 sites around Christchurch, helping boost biodiversity by planting “green dots” between the Waimakiriri and Rakaia rivers to create a “green way” of native plants connecting the mountains to the sea, ki uta ki tai.
This project, Te Pae o Ahuriri in the Selwyn district, will see previous sheep grazing land restored to life with over 3,000 native trees contributed by Bupa to grow the Legacy Forest. Te Pae O Ahuriri is located alongside the Little River Rail Trail and the Huritini/Halswell River in Lincoln.
In 2020, a walking/cycling route of around 4km was built along a stormwater drain which runs from the BUPA village at Ulyatt Rd in Napier to the coast. Pirimai Residents’ Association are aiming to have the whole 4km of the walkway planted. This is the third year of a multi-year planting project on an accessible flat site right adjacent to a BUPA facility.
Planting the drain will provide habitat for native biodiversity, creating a natural corridor for birds and insects. Additional benefits will be a reduction in air pollution, slowing of water runoff, reduction in the risk of flooding, mitigation of the risk of soil erosion or slips, and positive health benefits for users.
Waiwhakareke is the flagship project and focal point for biodiversity in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton. This science-based and community-led project represents the vision of bringing back Hamilton’s native flora and fauna. The former dairy farm, located opposite Hamilton Zoo, was purchased by Hamilton City Council in 1997 and established as Waiwhakareke in 2004, with the long-term aim of reconstructing the forest, wetland and lake ecosystems present in pre-European times. Bupa’s Legacy Forest will form a block of 3,300 native trees to complement the existing work at Waiwhakareke.
These natural assets are created for local communities of New Zealanders as part of Bupa’s commitment to help create a better world through sustainable action. Each Legacy Forest is intended to create green spaces for the use and enjoyment of future generations while enabling New Zealanders to get involved with planting native tree spaces that contribute to biodiversity, health and wellbeing and fighting climate change.
This partnership acknowledges the significant links between Bupa’s mission of caring for both older and future generations and the positive impacts of native trees for New Zealanders’ health and wellbeing to help Kiwis live longer, happier and healthier lives.
We have partnered with Trees That Count to plant 25,000 native trees across Aotearoa and spread the word about the important connection between our health and the health of the planet.
Restoring biodiversity, for example by planting native trees, can improve human health and wellbeing indirectly through the ecological services trees provide. Trees also have some direct health benefits on our bodies.
Trees help to reduce air pollution. They filter particulate matter from the air and absorb pollutants like nitrous oxide, making cleaner air for us all.
Trees help moderate temperature which is a well-known risk factor in cardiovascular illness. Scientists have also noted that exposure to green spaces including trees decrease risk of heart attack or stroke.
Planting native trees mitigates soil erosion and improves water quality, decreasing the risk of water borne disease.
Spending time in forests helps to decrease harmful immune responses, like inflammation, allergies and asthma. Trees are also a source of important medicines and release chemical compounds that can increase helpful immune activity.
Being around trees and nature improves our mental wellbeing. Studies have found that spending time among trees can decrease stress hormone levels, need for antidepressant medicine, and improve concentration in children with attention deficit disorder.
Time amongst native trees can decrease stress hormone levels and boost our social wellbeing – that’s how well we enjoy relationships and connect with others. Social wellbeing is a very strong predictor of positive health outcomes. Studies have shown that exposure to trees also increases goodwill and kindness, and even reduces crime rates!
