Aetna’s Commitment to a Healthy Environment

As a company long focused on leadership in corporate responsibility, Aetna is committed to fulfilling the goals outlined in our environmental policy statement by further reducing our carbon footprint. This significant commitment of resources has generated award-winning initiatives that have helped Aetna earn recognition as a company committed to protecting our most valued resources.

Renewable energy

We recognize the importance of decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels as part of our broad strategy to operate more efficiently and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In 2013, we completed our second major solar panel installation at an Aetna-owned facility, doubling the amount of clean energy we produce.

From 2010 through 2012, we produced 760,358 kwh of electricity from renewable energy sources.

Energy use reduction

We understand and embrace our responsibility to optimize our energy performance and reduce our demand on local and and regional energy systems. We have implemented a diverse strategy of energy-saving techniques that include replacing old windows with energy-efficient windows, installing Energy Star devices and automatic shut-off switches, and implementing new technology to more efficiently power and cool our data centers.

• Through energy-saving efforts across the company, Aetna has reduced its electrical consumption by 14,237,167 kwh since 2010, enough to power 1,504 homes for a full year.
• Aetna's Green Data Center Program has turned annual increases in power consumption into energy decreases. By optimizing advanced power, cooling and computer technologies, we reduced data center energy consumption 4.4 percent from 2010 to 2011 and 6.3 percent from 2011 to 2012.
• All Aetna-owned facilities use the U.S. EPA's Energy Star Portfolio Manager Program, allowing better monitoring of ongoing energy consumption. Aetna also has leased 22 (as of late 2012) Energy Star-labeled facilities across the country.

Building performance

Sustainable building practices are employed to the greatest extent practical for any building renovation and new construction work on Aetna properties. In 2006, Aetna launched a multi-year construction project to upgrade the Hartford campus. Completed in 2010, the project has enabled Aetna to make important new strides in environmental leadership.

• Early in 2012, Aetna earned Leadership in Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Certification for the nearly two-year long renovation of the Atrium building on its Hartford, CT, campus.
• The Aetna Customer Center in Hartford achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver certification in 2009 for its management of energy, lighting, water and building materials, and other sustainable strategies.
• Aetna does business out of 11 (as of late 2012) LEED-certified buildings across the country, including owned and leased properties.

Water use efficiency

When we implemented a nulti-year construction project in 2006, we upgraded water fixtures throughout our Hartford campus to reduce overall water consumption. Water delivery, just like heating, requires large amounts of energy.

• Water consumption on the Hartford campus has been reduced from 10,420 gallons per employee per year in 2006 to 5,370 gallons per employee per year, a reduction of 48 percent.
• A similar trend exists across Aetna's other owned properties.

Conservation efforts 

We actively encourage our employees to be a part of our efforts to conserve our precious resources. We facilitate carpooling and telecommuting to help reduce commuter traffic and the pollutants it generates. The results?

• Teleworkers are reducing Aetna’s carbon footprint by preventing more than 79 million miles of driving per year, which saves more than 3.3 million gallons of gas and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 29,000 metric tons per year.
• We took the innovative approach of installing electric vehicle charging stations on the Hartford and Blue Bell, Pa., campuses to encourage employees to drive electric/hybrid cars to work.

Our conservation efforts also include numerous recycling programs and programs that reduce the use of paper.

• Aetna is using environmentally friendly paper for the printing of marketing materials, an effort that in 2012 helped save 302 tons of paper; 871 million BTUs of energy; 167,091 lbs. of greenhouse gases; 906,229 gallons of waste water; and 60,664 lbs of solid waste.
• From 2009 to 2012, we increased the percentage of waste recycled, and diverted from landfills, from 29.6 percent to 36.1 percent.
• Aetna has recycled fluorescent light bulbs since 1994, long before it was required.
• At Aetna-owned facilities, we recycle paper, cardboard, glass and plastic bottles -- recycling an estimated 191 tons per month.
• The Blue Bell, PA, campus has a composting program for the collection and disposal of organic waste produced in the cafeteria kitchens.

Supplier sustainability initiative

In 2010, we introduced our key suppliers to our Supplier Relationship Management program, which includes an online sustainability assessment that measures a supplier’s engagement and proficiency level in a broad range of business practices that contribute to long-term viability and environmental sustainability. Opportunities for further development of sustainable business practices are discussed with each supplier.  In some cases, an action plan is formulated.

By year-end 2011, we found that nearly 70 percent of the enrolled suppliers exceeded expectations, and six achieved perfect scores.  We found across the board that supplier performance has improved. The end result is a more powerful surge toward mutually held sustainability goals.

Awards and recognition

Our commitment to a healthy environment has netted important recognitions:

• Aetna was named a 2013 Computerworld Honors Program Laureate for its Sustainable Data Center and Technology Initiative. The Computerworld Honors program honors visionary applications of information technology promoting positive social, economic and educational change.
• Aetna has been named a 2011  International Data Group InfoWorld Green 15 Awards winner for eliminating paper from the contracting process for health care professionals. Aetna is the first health insurer to offer electronic contract processing to doctors, hospitals and other health care facilities.
• Aetna’s innovative efforts to address global climate change were recognized with a 2009 Connecticut Climate Change Leadership Award by the State of Connecticut.
• The Clean Air Campaign presented Aetna with a 2008 PACE Spotlight Award for the impact of its telework program in the Atlanta area.