CVS Health: Integrating Sustainability into US Healthcare

Health solutions leader CVS Health continues to connect retail, pharmacy and insurance services to strengthen community health across the United States.

Its latest Healthy 2030 Impact Report reinforces CVS Health’s position as both a healthcare and retail powerhouse, focused on embedding sustainability, equity and resilience into its business model. The report highlights action around climate, packaging, and the health and well-being of its more than 300,000 colleagues.

“At CVS Health, we generate the greatest impact by connecting assets and expertise from across our enterprise to tackle America’s most pressing health challenges,” says Sheryl Burke, Chief Sustainability Officer, CVS Health.

“These challenges are complex, with health outcomes often impacted by a multitude of factors at the individual, societal and environmental levels. We believe solutions must take a holistic approach.

“Across our impact strategy, we are combining our reach and knowledge of local communities, the power of our philanthropic partnerships, and innovative health care solutions made possible through advanced data, analytics and technology.”

Healthy 2030

At the centre of CVS Health’s sustainability strategy is its Healthy 2030 framework, which defines the company’s impact across four interconnected pillars:

• Healthy People

• Healthy Business

• Healthy Community

• Healthy Planet

The framework draws on a 2023 impact‑based prioritisation assessment conducted with BSR and aligns with GRI Standards, signalling an evolution away from traditional materiality exercises. Rather than ticking boxes, CVS Health now measures based on the severity and likelihood of impacts on people, the planet and enterprise value.

Oversight begins at the highest level. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, along with the President and CEO, directly monitors climate risk, emissions progress, resource use, and human capital issues. The Chief Sustainability Officer leads execution through a cross‑functional steering committee and provides semi‑annual updates to the board. Leadership remuneration is partially tied to metrics that reflect progress against Healthy 2030 objectives – ensuring accountability across culture and strategy.

“CVS Health has more than 300,000 colleagues from every corner of our country, reflecting the communities we serve,” says J. David Joyner, President and CEO, CVS Health.

“We see how strong communities and a healthy planet directly impact the physical and mental well-being of individuals. Our goals are more readily achieved when we are all guided by a common purpose and an uncommon commitment to care.”

Human health and planet health

CVS Health was among the first companies worldwide to achieve Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validation for its net zero targets, committing to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 47% by 2030, and to reach net zero by 2050, based on a 2019 baseline.

The company’s 2024 appendix details measurable progress – a 29% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 59% reduction in Scope 3 Category 1 emissions (purchased goods and services) since 2019, although that category saw a slight 3% increase between 2023 and 2024.

CVS is progressing toward a goal of sourcing 50% renewable electricity by 2040. To date, it has executed agreements representing over 969,200 MWh of renewable energy capacity, with about 102,000 MWh utilised in 2024. The company integrates TCFD and ISSB‑aligned climate risk frameworks into its enterprise risk management, applying scenario analysis across multiple time horizons and stress‑testing for both physical and transition risks – from extreme heat and floods to shifts in low‑carbon transportation infrastructure.

“We know that the health of the environment impacts human health,” Sheryl explains. “As part of our goal to become America’s leading and most trusted health care company, it is our charge to not only reduce our own environmental impact, but to shape a more resilient health care system for the future.

“Work through our climate resiliency strategy resulted in new investments in renewable energy as we continue down a defined path toward net zero emissions by 2050.”