Centering Health Equity in Climate Action: A Toolkit for Businesses

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of centering health equity in climate action, highlighting that climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities and that businesses must prioritize these impacts in their strategies [4][6][11] Summary by Sections Introduction - The Centering Health Equity in Climate Action (CHEC) initiative aims to integrate health and equity into climate action, ensuring that all communities thrive and are not adversely affected by climate change [4][5][7] The Climate/Health Nexus - Climate change is projected to cost $12.5 trillion in economic losses and $1.1 trillion in healthcare costs by 2050, with vulnerable communities facing the greatest health impacts [11][12] - Historical inequities exacerbate the health impacts of climate change, with specific demographic groups, such as Black and Hispanic individuals, being more likely to experience severe consequences [15][17][18] Impacts to Business - Businesses that ignore health equity in their climate strategies risk exacerbating inequities and harming public health, which is essential for their long-term viability [26][30] - The report outlines that integrating health equity can lead to reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity, with a return of $2.30 for every dollar saved on healthcare [39] Recommendations for Businesses - Businesses are encouraged to understand their climate and health equity impacts, starting with the most affected populations in their value chain [44][65] - The report outlines a four-step approach: understanding impacts, prioritizing affected stakeholders, measuring and managing impacts, and embedding equity throughout the organization [46][109][133] Case Studies - Johnson & Johnson's initiative to address heat stress through community clinics demonstrates the importance of partnerships and data-driven approaches to improve health outcomes [50][52] - Kaiser Permanente's community health needs assessment highlights the significance of understanding local environmental impacts on health to inform business strategies [58][60] - Sodexo's development of culturally relevant, plant-based menus in hospitals illustrates how businesses can engage stakeholders to create positive health and climate outcomes [74][78] Next Steps - The report calls for urgent action from businesses to center health within their climate plans and engage with affected stakeholders to create equitable solutions [151]