Bupa kicks off $1 million environmental action amid rising weather risks

Bupa kicks off $1 million environmental action amid rising weather risks | Insurance Business Australia

Life & Health

Partnership aims to emphasise link between human health and environmental health

Life & Health

By
Roxanne Libatique

The challenge encourages participation from Bupa employees, community members, and corporate partners to adopt active lifestyles throughout September. The physical activity generated will translate into funding for restoring nature and creating green spaces in urban areas.

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Bupa’s 2024 Healthy Cities Challenge

This year’s challenge follows Bupa research showing that nearly 50% of Australians engage in running, walking, or cycling, with many participants citing mental health benefits as their motivation.

Nick Stone, CEO of Bupa APAC, highlighted that the 2023 program’s funding has already supported various community planting initiatives.

“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,” he said.

Bupa’s partner for 2024 Healthy Cities Challenge

Landcare Australia will partner with New Zealand’s Project Crimson Trust in the initiative, with both organisations sharing the $1 million allocation for local environmental projects.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish emphasised that the partnership provides a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the link between human health and environmental health on a national level.

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

Bupa’s sustainability initiatives

The Healthy Cities Challenge is part of a broader set of Bupa initiatives. In Melbourne, Bupa is involved in separate projects with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and Fed Square, focusing on sustainability and health promotion.

Additionally, the company will sponsor the 2024 Private Land Conservation Conference, which aims to explore opportunities for advancing nature conservation efforts across sectors.

Stone underscored the significance of these partnerships in promoting healthier lifestyles and their positive impact on urban environments.

“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,” he said.