Background
Climate change, along with increasing industrial operations, are threatening the access and quality of water. In many regions, growing demand and competition for water has severely affected availability of water for human, agricultural, ecological and industrial consumption.
Climate change also has a negative health impact, leading to an increase in diseases and injuries from growing frequency and severity of hurricanes, floods, droughts, forest fires, etc., thereby putting an additional burden on the health care industry. As the health care industry grows globally, so does the cost to administer health care and the environmental impact on health care from its operations. Therefore, the health care industry plays a pivotal role in addressing its own environmental footprint by reducing the use of natural resources, such as water, for the benefit of society at large.
Commitment
- As an environmentally responsible organization, Pediatrix® Medical Group is committed to the implementation and maintenance of measures to ensure efficient and judicious consumption of water at all facilities under its direct control.
- Pediatrix will practice responsible water consumption across all locations and facilities under its direct control.
- Pediatrix will encourage responsible water consumption in other locations and facilities where Pediatrix has no direct control, but conducts business operations.
Purpose
Although its business operations and the locations and facilities under its direct control do not have a significant water footprint, Pediatrix has developed a policy to address water management considering the stresses induced by global exploitation and extraction of ground water.
Pediatrix will:
- Measure the consumption of water at all locations and facilities under its direct control
- Report on water-related matters as required by applicable rules and regulations or as approved by the ESG Executive Oversight Committee
- Aim to increase awareness of water management matters in all regions of operation through open and transparent communication with all stakeholders, including but not limited to, associates, physicians, patients, shareholders and the public
Objective
- Stabilize and reduce water consumption through various interventions across all locations and facilities under its direct control
- Develop a monitoring and measurement framework for water use and consumption
- Set goals and measurable targets with an aim to continuously improve
Approach
- Measure Pediatrix’s water management across all locations and facilities under its direct control
- Evaluate opportunities to reduce water consumption across all locations and facilities under its direct control by implementing and instituting corporate-wide guidelines for responsible water consumption and conservation
- Regularly review the quality and availability of water, both from traditional and non-traditional resources, to meet current and future demand of Pediatrix operations and locations and facilities under direct control
- Implement water management oversight for locations and facilities under its direct control
- Create awareness and educate all relevant stakeholder groups, including associates, physicians, patients, and shareholders, regarding judicious management of water
- Evaluate the viability of various water recycling technologies in its operations and at locations and facilities under its direct control
Applicability
- This policy shall be applicable at all locations and facilities of Pediatrix under its direct control.
- This policy shall be applicable to all stakeholders, over which the company has effective control.
- For entities and stakeholders with which Pediatrix conducts business, but that do not fall under its administrative ambit, Pediatrix shall communicate and promote, through its associates the alignment of procedures and policies with those of Pediatrix.
Action Plan
- Pediatrix will strategize and implement water management reduction activities to execute organizational objectives in accordance with this policy.
- Pediatrix plans to set goals and targets related to water consumption.
Responsibility
The ESG Executive Oversight Committee under the supervision of the CEO/ Board of Directors is responsible for the overall implementation of the items stated in this policy.
Compliance
Pediatrix will ensure that it complies with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Review
The policy shall be reviewed at least once every three years or more frequently, as required. The policy will be reviewed and approved by the ESG Executive Oversight Committee to ensure that it meets all regulatory and business requirements.