Bupa says it has partnered with renewable energy generator Pacific Hydro Australia to make the switch to clean energy to achieve its local 2025 Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions reductions targets.
The company said it is sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy to fulfil the needs of 59 of its Australian locations, including aged care facilities and corporate offices in Melbourne and Sydney, for the next five years.
This will be achieved by Bupa purchasing renewable energy certificates generated from Pacific Hydro’s wind and hydro portfolio.
The company said the 30 GWh per year agreement will save over 25,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year. This is the equivalent of taking over 5,500 cars off the road annually.
Bupa Asia Pacific CEO Hisham El-Ansary said this initiative represents a significant milestone in the company’s ambition to become a Net Zero business by 2040.
“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,” said Mr El-Ansary.
Under the 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 that uses the Southern Hemisphere’s largest irrigation channel, along with South Australia’s Clements Gap Wind Farm and several more.
Pacific Hydro CEO Domenic Capomolla said, “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."