Sustainability

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board (HBDHB) values the important role sustainability plays in helping us operate in a way that meets our needs without compromising the fabric of the social community, the economy or the natural environment, so that future generations continue to benefit. 

As an organisation, our vision and values require a healthy natural environment and a well-constructed built environment. Increased climate resilience is also necessary to positively impact on overall community health through improved mental health and well-being, opportunities for physical activity, social contact and child development.

Kaitiakitanga

Many elements of the concept of kaitiakitanga align with sustainability: acknowledging the mauri and wairua when it comes to our natural resources and environment. HBDHB recognises we have a responsibility to tāngata whenua to act together as kaitiaki to actively manage our operations in an environmentally sustainable way.

Approach

In all activities, HBDHB will seek to:

A healthy environment is a key foundation for the health and wellbeing of people, and thus environmental sustainability is core to health. We aim to live within our means, and limit the use of natural resources in order to improve the environment - while making sure we meet our commitments to the health and wellbeing of the community. HBDHB will foster a culture of environmental sustainability and encourage leadership in sustainability throughout the organisation.

Initial areas of focus

Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health, and the HBDHB intends to implement a strong response to climate change.

HBDHB has selected five areas of focus based on their potential financial, equity, efficiency, social and environmental impacts. The intent is to increase resilience, and implement mitigation and adaptation strategies that are underpinned by cost benefit analysis, co-benefits and financial savings. The following sections outline the policies for each of these areas. It should be noted that these areas of focus are overlapping and should not be viewed or actioned in isolation.