Bupa has launched its 2024 Healthy Cities Challenge in Australia and New Zealand, announcing a new nature restoration partner in Landcare Australia and a mission to convert the steps and physical activities into $1 million in funding to help restore local environments. 

The Healthy Cities Challenge encourages Bupa’s community to adopt active lifestyle habits by moving any way they can during September to unlock investment into environmental projects to restore nature and create new green spaces in urban areas.  

The 2024 Challenge launches amidst Bupa research suggesting almost 50 per cent of Aussies are running, walking or cycling for fitness, with two-thirds of those who are running doing so to improve their mental health. 

Bupa APAC CEO Nick Stone said while Bupa’s people gear up for Healthy Cities 2024, funding from the 2023 program has already been put into action through a range of planting days in local communities. 

“By combining physical activity with environmental action, the Healthy Cities Challenge brings to life our belief that to have healthy people, you need to have a healthy planet.” 

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“With the activity and enthusiasm of participants, we want to build on the 650 million steps taken as part of last year’s Healthy Cities Challenge and create a groundswell of activity towards one billion collective steps in 2024 so we can revitalise even more green spaces with our restoration partners,” said Nick. 

Landcare Australia joins Project Crimson Trust in New Zealand, which is involved for the second year as a partner in Bupa’s Healthy Cities Challenge and will share in the $1 million committed to local restoration projects. 

Landcare Australia CEO, Dr. Shane Norrish welcomed the opportunity to partner with Bupa to plant thousands of trees and shrubs that will create lasting environmental and health benefits in urban and peri-urban communities across Australia. 

“This collaboration provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate and showcase the connection between human and planet health on a national scale,” said Shane. 

The Healthy Cities Challenge takes place as Bupa activates in Melbourne’s CBD in separate initiatives delivered in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and Fed Square.  

As part of the NGV’s Reimagining Birrarung: Towards 2070 exhibition, Bupa will be supporting a range of activities designed to encourage audience reflection and action and support people’s health through nature restoration. 

This September Bupa will also support RESET at Melbourne’s iconic Fed Square – a month-long festival, focusing on environmental sustainability, connecting with nature, and promoting easy, enjoyable and useful ways to reduce our impact on the world. 

Following Healthy Cities and RESET, Bupa will be sponsoring the 2024 Private Land Conservation Conference which provides landowners, government and businesses the opportunity to collaborate and explore opportunities to accelerate and expand nature action at corporate, community and individual levels. 

Nick Stone highlighted that partnerships such as these are vital for helping people experience firsthand how adopting healthy habits in their day-to-day lives can positively impact their well-being and the cities they live in. 

“Through a collective effort, we are committed to contributing to the restoration of our invaluable and distinctive ecosystems in Australia and New Zealand, all aimed at fostering a healthier planet for healthier people,” said Nick.