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      Climate Resiliency and Energy

      Reducing carbon emissions and building climate resiliency in health care

      Human and environmental health are connected. In the communities we serve, we see firsthand how extreme heat and air pollution can impact individuals with chronic disease. Our teams are continuously working to improve the resiliency of our supply chain to prevent the disruption that extreme weather events could cause to the distribution of life-protecting medicines. And we know that many of the regions that are most severely impacted by climate change are also those with the most socially vulnerable residents.

      In 2021, we became one of the first companies in the world to have our net-zero targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) net-zero methodology, setting us on the path to achieve net-zero emissions from our direct operations and across our value chain by 2050.  

      To make progress on our commitments, we are approaching our direct and indirect emissions systematically and strategically. In 2023, we assessed a path to decarbonization for our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and are now working to prioritize opportunities for collaboration with suppliers on Scope 3 emissions reductions.

      Our work toward decarbonization focuses on significant investments in renewable energy, continuous improvement in operational efficiency, and engagement across our enterprise and value chain.

      We are investing in a renewable energy portfolio to achieve our near- and long-term goals.

      Since 2022, we have completed seven investments in renewable energy. Physical purchase power agreements (PPAs) represent more than 870,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean renewable energy. By 2026, these investments in renewable energy will power approximately 3,000 CVS Health locations.

      In 2024, we began using a new offsite data center powered by 100% renewable energy, retiring Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). 

      We continue to explore community solar options. For example, in 2024, 37 CVS Pharmacy stores in Florida enrolled in community solar as part of a program with Florida Power & Light Company.

      Learn more about our energy and emissions.

      Innovating our transportation and distribution network is a key component of our climate action strategy and path to net zero. We are testing several emerging technologies to better understand performance, return on investment and scalability. 

      • Launched first fully electric truck at our Patterson, California distribution center 

      • Electrified 100 trailer parking spots at our La Habra, California distribution center 

      • Upgraded all transportation refrigeration units at La Habra, California site to dual diesel and electric power, reducing emissions by five metric tons annually, per unit (estimated)  

      • Reduced total miles by 3.5 million from 2023 to 2024, using 485,400 fewer gallons of diesel fuel through routing efficiencies in retail distribution network 

      • Saved more than 2.2 million miles since 2017 through our backhaul program, which adds freight to return trips to our distribution centers with items such as saleable products that can be redeployed to other stores, or product to be donated to local food banks

       

      Our Scope 3 emissions represent the majority of our total emissions. We engage with our suppliers to ensure that they are working toward their own science-based emissions reduction targets and reducing their emissions accordingly. 

      Since 2018, we have partnered with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to facilitate the delivery of prescriptions from our retail locations. We utilize their monthly Carbon Accounting Service to monitor emissions associated with these deliveries. 

      Learn more about how we’re engaging our suppliers in emissions reduction. 

      Learn more about our Scope 3 emissions

      Extreme environmental events adversely impact health outcomes for our patients and members. Heat waves are associated with increased hospital admissions, including for cardiovascular, kidney and respiratory disorders. More frequent extreme weather associated with climate change is also exacerbating long-standing air quality issues.

      In 2024, we launched a first-of-its-kind, nationwide environmental health impact program to support people most vulnerable to extreme weather events. The program enables our clinicians to contact vulnerable patients with personalized recommendations in a proactive and timely manner to help them manage their conditions and mitigate potential impacts of extreme heat or air pollution.

      Learn more about how we are supporting patients and communities impacted by climate change and extreme weather.  

      • CVS Health is committed to sharing progress toward achieving our SBTi approved, net zero emissions goals. Please refer to our environmental data to find relevant information pertaining to GHG emissions. This includes information documenting how our “net-zero emission” goals were determined to be accurate; how interim progress toward our goal is being measured; disclosure of independent third-party verification of greenhouse gas emissions; identification of our science-based targets emissions reduction pathway; and disclosure of the relevant sector methodology and third-party verification used for our science-based targets and emissions reduction pathway.