Sustainability

A key value of Highmark Health and our workforce is stewardship, which we define as working to improve the health of the communities we serve and wisely managing the assets which have been entrusted to our care. Establishing goals related to sustainability, participating in programs, and reaching new milestones are natural extensions of our stewardship.

For us, sustainability is using resources in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Our four sustainability goals include:

1. Reducing energy and water consumption throughout facilities.
2. Achieving the WELL Health-Safety Rating for major facilities.
3. Renovating, constructing, operating, and maintaining facilities in accordance with green and high-performance building practices.
4. Engaging employees on how they can be environmental stewards at work and at home.

Through the commitment of our leadership and employees, and through partner organizations that champion sustainability, we are proud to have achieved the following milestones:

• Highmark Health's Fifth Avenue Place and Penn Avenue Place received the 2021 Vanguard Award honoring the organization's innovation in sustainable design and construction.
• Highmark Health earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating in 2021 from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) for six properties the organization directly manages.
• Highmark Health has three times (2014-15, 2016-17, 2018-19) been recognized by Sustainable Pittsburgh as the large-company winner in the Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenge.
• Award-winning LEED certified facilities.
• Membership in the Pittsburgh 2030 District.
• Recognition as a bicycle-friendly business.
• Stewardship of our living roof.

Environmental sustainability aims to improve human welfare through the protection of natural capital (e.g. land, air, water, minerals etc.). Initiatives and programs are defined environmentally sustainable when they ensure that the needs of the population are met without the risk of compromising the needs of future generations.

According to Dunphy et al. (2000), an environmentally sustainable business seeks to integrate all four sustainability pillars, and to reach this aim each one needs to be treated equally.

Energy sustainability focuses on utilizing energy-efficient servers, data centers, and software development practices to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint.

• Resource Management: Minimizing paper waste by adopting digital workflows, promoting remote work, and using recycled materials.
• Green Infrastructure: Investing in renewable energy sources for powering data centers, offices, and software development processes.
• Sustainable Coding Practices: Optimizing code to reduce energy consumption during software execution and promoting the use of eco-friendly programming languages.
• Circular Economy: Extending the lifespan of hardware through maintenance and repurposing, and utilizing cloud platforms to optimize resource utilization.

Social sustainability aims to preserve social capital by investing and creating services that constitute the framework of our society.

• Diversity and Inclusion: Building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities they serve, fostering a culture of belonging and equal opportunities.
• Work-Life Balance: Promoting healthy work-life balance for employees through flexible work arrangements, remote work options, and employee well-being programs.
• Ethical sourcing and development: Ensuring fair labor practices throughout the software development process, including contractors and suppliers.
• Accessibility and User Inclusiveness: Designing software with accessibility in mind, catering to users with diverse needs and abilities.
• Data Privacy and Security: Implementing robust data protection measures to ensure user privacy and responsible data management.

Economic sustainability aims to maintain the capital intact. In the context of business, it refers to the efficient use of assets to maintain company profitability over time.

• Long-term Value Creation: Focusing on creating sustainable and scalable software solutions that address evolving user needs and contribute to a positive societal impact.
• Efficient Resource Allocation: Optimizing resource usage for development and operations, avoiding wasteful spending and fostering responsible financial management.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Building adaptable software platforms and business models that can withstand market changes, technological advancements, and unforeseen challenges.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: Partnering with other stakeholders in the tech industry to develop and promote sustainable software practices and solutions.
• Transparency and Accountability: Publishing regular sustainability reports, sharing company goals and progress in environmental, social, and economic aspects.

Human sustainability aims to maintain and improve the human capital in society. Investments in the health and education systems, access to services, nutrition, knowledge, and skills are all programs under the umbrella of human sustainability.

The path to a sustainable future is paved with the actions of each individual. Let's all pledge to make mindful choices, champion sustainable practices, and hold ourselves and others accountable for creating a world where humanity and nature can thrive in harmony.

The challenges we face are daunting, but not insurmountable. Through collective action, innovation, and unwavering commitment, we can forge a sustainable future that benefits generations to come. Let's be the change we want to see in the world, one step at a time.