Bupa environmental policy

Bupa as a key provider of Healthcare and Insurance Services recognises the importance of good environmental practice. We recognise that our activities have an environmental impact and in developing this policy we seek to reinforce our commitment to manage environmental issues properly within our existing UK and expanding international businesses. This policy forms part of a suite of Bupa policies covering issues such as Health & Safety and Community Connections.

This policy has the full support of the Chairman and the Board of Directors. In implementing this commitment to manage our environmental impacts properly we will:

fully comply with environmental regulations in every country in which we operate
ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into our business decisions
continue to use risk assessment methods in order to identify potential environmental risks to our businesses
pursue opportunities to minimise the environmental impact of our operations, concentrating particularly on the use of energy, waste disposal, water discharges and land management
develop a wider understanding of environmental issues amongst our suppliers, employees, customers and local committees
regularly review our policies to ensure that they remain properly aligned to the need to reduce waste and encourage the most effective utilisation of scarce resources

Responsibility for implementing this Environmental Policy rests with the Managing Directors of each of our business units. Detailed policy implementation plans will be developed within each of these business units which will include a commitment to the regular audit of policy objectives.

To ensure that this policy is properly implemented we will periodically review our progress at board level.

Ray King
Chief Executive

Bupa Care Services energy policy

Policy

To cost-effectively reduce our key energy and water KPIs (CO2 emissions and m3 water per bed), whilst maintaining or enhancing associated services to residents.

Strategic Objectives

To establish a robust and reliable energy and water consumption monitoring, targeting and reporting system based on accurate meter readings and to embed this system within the management reporting structures of the business.

To use the above system to:

Set annual targets for reduction in consumption.
Target energy and water efficiency investment at homes where the investment will produce the most cost effective reductions in KPIs.
Monitor the effectiveness of efficiency measures.

To raise staff awareness of the importance of preventing waste of energy and water, and the actions they can take to assist in preventing waste. Reporting of consumption against target and provision of financial incentives will form part of this awareness campaign.

To investigate and pilot new energy efficiency devices or measures, implementing these in homes where it is cost-effective and appropriate.

To exceed statutory energy performance levels for all our new build and extension projects.

Approved on behalf of the Board

Mark Ellerby
Managing Director
Bupa Care Services
April 2008

Bupa Care Homes environmental information:

Environmental aspects	Objectives
Waste	Identify and implement economically feasible opportunities for resource/waste reduction and recycling. Ensure all waste materials from sites are managed in line with relevant statutory requirements
Material consumables	Identify and implement economically feasible opportunities for usage reduction
Energy use	Identify and implement economically feasible opportunities for energy reduction
Water use	Identify and implement economically feasible opportunities for water reduction
Emission	Minimise the impact of gaseous emissions and noise on local neighbourhoods
Transport	Identify and implement economically feasible opportunities for pollutants emission reduction and green transport plans
Building aspect	Manage and ensure all asbestos and other hazardous materials do not present H&S and environmental risks
Equipment	Identify and implement economically feasible opportunities for resource/waste/energy reduction
Biocides	Identify pesticide/herbicides which minimise harmful environmental impacts
Storage	Identify storage locations and conditions in order to minimise potential harmful environmental impacts
Spillage	Reduce the risk of water or soil contamination
Reviewed and approved by Bupa Care Services Environment Committee 16th June 2008.

Energy and waste environmental targets and performance for Bupa Care Homes UK

Key performance indicators
	CO2 emission per bed (tons)	Water consumption per bed (m3)	General & Clinical waste volume disposed per available bed-year (m3)
2005	4.403	78.0	8.01
2006	4.230	77.7	7.67
2007	4.160	77.5	8.38
2008	4.165*	TBA	8.40
Target reductions
2006	5%	2.5%	3%
2007	5%	2.5%	3%
2008	2%	-	-
Reductions achieved
2006	3.9%	0.3%	4.2%
2007	1.7%	0.3%	-9.3%
2008	-0.12%	0.3%	-0.2%

* provisional figure

2008 absolute figures

carbon footprint was 86.44 thousand tons of CO2*
the total volume of of General & Clinical waste disposed of was 174 thousand cubic metres
the total volume of water used in 2007 was 1.58 million cubic metres

*The carbon footprint for 2008 is provisional, as we are awaiting details of closing electricity readings at many of the 'dumb' meters that have been replaced by 'smart' meters during the automatic meter reading roll-out.

2008 - main achievements

electricity automatic meter reading (AMR) installed at the majority of care homes, with installation at the remainder to be carried out during 2009
gas AMR piloted at 20 care homes
energy policy approved (see above)
energy management software purchased and commissioned.
solar water heating installed a Knowles Court care home in Bradford

Waste reduction and recycling initiatives

All head office waste paper is recycled. During 2006, drinks can recycling facilities were introduced.
All paper hygiene products (napkins, toilet rolls, wiper rolls etc) used are manufactured from 100 percent recycled paper.
During 2008, all used cooking oil from Care Homes was collected for recycling.
We are working with suppliers to reduce the packaging associated with deliveries.
A detailed analysis of our waste stream has identified cardboard recycling as the major area in which progress can be made, and our objective for 2008 was to increase the availability of cardboard recycling facilities at care homes. This has been successful, with the volume of cardboard recycled increasing from 1,626m3 in 2007 to 4,358 m3 in 2008. Cardboard recycling will continue to be implemented progressively where practicable.

Key environmental management targets for 2009

Priority areas for 2009 are:

improvements to heating and hot water controls at care homes
improved reporting utilising half hourly data from AMR meters
greater staff involvement in energy efficiency campaign, utilising improved reporting

Environmental index

The Environment Index is a Business in The Community (www.bitc.org.uk) initiative, recognised as one of the leading benchmarks of corporate environmental engagement, encouraging environmental competitiveness among those organisations taking part. Bupa Care Services has participated in the Yorkshire and Humber Environment Index since 2004. A copy of our feedback report covering 2007 is available.

Renewable Energy

We are actively looking at cost-effective opportunities for utilising renewable energy in new build and existing care homes. In 2007 we ordered our first solar thermal water heating system for installation at a care home in Bradford. The installation was completed in the Spring in time for the non-existent summer of 2008. Performance is being monitored to establish the energy savings obtained. Solar water heating is also being installed at a new build care home in Malvern.

Scope

The above figures cover UK operations of Bupa Care Homes. Figures for other Bupa Care Services UK businesses (Teddies Nurseries, Goldsborough Estates and Surgichem) are not included. (These businesses are estimated to contribute less than 5% to the overall Care Services UK figures).

For more information on the Bupa Care Homes environmental policies please contact Nigel Slevin, Head of Property Department and Bupa Care Homes board member with responsibility for environmental matters on 0113 381 6252.