PureHealth has become the first healthcare institution in the MENA region to join the United Nations-backed Race to Zero Initiative, it has shared.
This move, it said, aligns with the UAE’s commitment to COP28, the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) five-year Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy.
To commemorate the announcement, a signing ceremony was held recently, attended by H.E. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, and Farhan Malik, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth. Representatives and high-level officials from both parties also attended.
Guided by the High-Level Champions for Climate Action, Race to Zero is the United Nations’ global initiative. It is the largest-ever alliance outside of national governments committed to halving global emissions by 2030 and “delivering a zero-carbon world” in line with the Paris Agreement.
The Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy will focus on two pillars: mitigation, to reduce climate emissions while maintaining economic growth; and adaptation, to enhance the resilience and agility of key economic sectors against climate risks.
As of September 2022, the campaign boasts an impressive coalition, uniting 11,309 non-state actors. Within this conglomerate, the numbers speak to its influence: 8,307 companies, 595 financial institutions, 1,136 cities, 52 states, and regions, as well as 1,125 educational institutions and 65 healthcare establishments.
PureHealth has also become a member of the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) and is the first integrated healthcare company to participate in Healthcare Climate Challenge in the Middle East.
As a member of the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH), PureHealth is the newest addition to the global initiative, Health Care Without Harm.
Health Care Without Harm, the official healthcare sector partner of Race to Zero, encompasses a network of over 70 healthcare institutions.
These institutions are members of the GGHH Network, collectively representing an assemblage of over 14,000 hospitals and healthcare facilities spanning 25 countries.
The initiative aims to mobilise healthcare institutions around the world to play a leadership role in addressing climate change through three pillars: mitigation, resilience, and leadership.
HE Razan Al Mubarak, UN High-Level Climate Champion for COP28, said: “The High Level Champions are thrilled to welcome PureHealth to Race to Zero. By joining the initiative and making their ambitious commitments, PureHealth is stepping up as a leader and beacon to inspire the health care sector in the UAE and the Middle East to join their journey towards a net zero and resilient future.”
Meanwhile, HE Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, commented: “We are keen supporters of the United Nations backed Race to Zero Initiative and we always endorse the sustainability efforts of organisations as important as Pure Health. Therefore, we are very pleased to witness this collaboration and will work closely with both entities to enhance climate action in the emirate of Abu Dhabi which is one of our main strategic priorities.”
Farhan Malik, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth, said: “Accelerating climate action is central to our strategy, recognizing the impact of climate change on people’s health and promoting a new model of care through sustainable digital methods. As the largest healthcare group in the region, our significant move to align goals with the Race to Zero will amplify decarbonization efforts and act as a catalyst for others to follow suit. Our vision is a future in which sustainability and longevity go hand in hand. Our mission to empower people to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives is intrinsically linked to our drive to reduce carbon emissions. We will continue to engage with the global healthcare community to raise awareness, rally support, and mobilize action for a healthier and greener world.”
Nick Thorp, GGHH Network Director, Health Care Without Harm, added: “Health Care Without Harm is thrilled to welcome PureHealth to Race to Zero and our global network. By joining the initiative and making these ambitious commitments, PureHealth is stepping up as a leader in the UAE and the MENA region. They are creating innovative climate-smart health care solutions and serving as a beacon to transform the sector.”