CVS Health shares annual ESG report highlighting sustainability efforts
CVS Health is showcasing how it is working to create a healthier and more sustainable world by releasing the findings of its annual Environmental, Social and Governance Report — Healthy 2030.
“In 2021, we made significant progress towards our Healthy 2030 goals, with a particular focus on addressing health equity and protecting the environment,” said Karen S. Lynch, president and CEO of CVS Health. “We’ll continue to utilize our community presence, diverse assets and expertise to improve the health of people and the planet.”
In the report, the company highlights how it has worked to improve health equity through its Health Zones initiative, which addresses six social determinants of health — housing, education, access to food, labor, transportation and healthcare access.
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There also is an expanded community health resource with a focus on underserved populations, which covered targeted COVID-19 vaccine outreach and hosted more than 1,700 free health screening events.
Also, in focus is how CVS Health was able to divert 50% of all waste to recycling or reuse, how the company saved 33,500 MWh of energy through efficiency programs to reach a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and how it eliminated 500,000 in empty miles through the backhaul program.
Additional key information includes detailing how more than $2.5 million in value of colleague volunteerism to nonprofit organizations across the country was completed. The report included how more than 159 million meals for people who are food insecure were provided through a partnership with Feeding America, with approximately 40% of meals supporting people who are racially diverse and food insecure, the company said.
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Lastly, another key finding in the report included how the company’s minimum starting wage is rising to $15 per hour beginning in July.
This marks the 15th year CVS Health has reported its ESG efforts, and this year’s report was developed in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, the company said.