Environmental Health 60 2021 Sustainability Report A Modern, High-Performing Health System Introduction Our People and Culture Responsible Business Practices Performance Data At UnitedHealth Group, we understand the important role the environment plays in the health of every community. We believe the environment is a key part of what makes the communities in which we live and work sustainable, viable and healthy. 352K square-foot WELL-certified campus in San Antonio, Texas, phase one scheduled to open in 2022. A growing body of research shows how closely climate change is tied to human he alth. Air pollution increases the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer. Extreme heat is linked to increased hospital admissions for cardiovascular, kidney and respiratory disorders. Intensifying wildfires can lead to an increase in emergency department visits for respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchitis. A healthy planet is the foundation for a healthy society, down to the water we drink and the air we breathe. While every person is impacted by the health of our environment, the impacts of climate change are distributed unequally among disadvantaged populations in the U.S. and around the globe. Communities of color, low-income populations and older adults are among those most likely to feel the impact of climate change, further exacerbating existing health inequities. Our businesses touch nearly every facet of health care as we work to build a modern, high-performing health system. We have the opportunity to contribute to a stable climate and improve planetary health while building a better health care system for future generations. What we’re focused on • Committing to the Science Based T argets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard. • L eading a coordinated effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the U.S. health system. • R educing our paper usage and advocating for the reduction of paper across the health system to the greatest extent possible over the coming years. • Div erting waste from landfills. • Ensuring efficient use of w ater.