- Overall emissions increased in 2022 due to operations and square footage of acquired businesses and increased employee return to work sites.
- Rising health care costs
- Wide health disparities
- Fragmented health care experience for many
- Growing threat of climate change
- Extreme weather events impacting customers, members, employees, and providers
- Employee burnout
UnitedHealth Group
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2022 reporting, UnitedHealth Group disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 506.3K tCO2e/year (Scope 1 & 2 Location-Based). By scope: Scope 1: 122.4K tCO2e/year; Scope 2: 383.9K tCO2e/year; Scope 3: 13.8M tCO2e/year. Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
506.3K tCO2e/year (Scope 1 & 2 Location-Based)
2022
Water Usage
1.81 Mio. m3/year (Municipal Water Use)
2022
Waste
87.5K metric tonnes/year (Waste Disposed)
2022
Energy Use
1.6M MWh/year
2022
📊 Emissions by Scope (2022)
| Scope | What it covers | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources the company owns or controls (fuel combustion, company vehicles, process and fugitive emissions). | 122.4K tCO2e/year |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling. | 383.9K tCO2e/year |
| Scope 3 | Other indirect emissions across the value chain (purchased goods, business travel, use of sold products, etc.). | 13.8M tCO2e/year |
New to scopes? Read Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions explained and market-based vs location-based Scope 2.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- 24% reduction in inbound paper
- Completed our first assessment of scope 3 emissions
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Close 600 million gaps in care for our members by the end of 2025
📅 Medium-term
- Achieve a 60% reduction in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2030
- Reach operational net-zero by 2035
- Invest $100 million to create a new philanthropic program and partnerships that will measurably advance a diverse health workforce by 2033
- 85% of our members will receive preventive care services annually by 2030
- 55%+ of our outpatient surgeries and radiology services will be delivered at high-quality, cost-efficient sites of care by 2030
🔭 Long-term
- Invest and source 100% of our global electricity demand with renewable sources by 2030
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
Building a modern, high-performing health systemHealthy environmentOur people and cultureResponsible business practices