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      Responsible Water Use Policy

       

      At CVS Health, we are committed to operating our business in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner. While CVS Health® is not a large consumer of water, we have several programs to manage water-related impacts and govern our water usage in accordance with and beyond regulatory compliance. We recognize that water is foundational not only to climate resilience but also to the health of natural ecosystems and the well being of the communities we serve. Healthy watersheds support biodiversity, reduce pollution burdens, and contribute to improved community health outcomes.

      Our primary business usage of water exists across our physical footprint for landscaping and the provision of fire sprinklers as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, in recognition of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s Human Right to Water and Sanitation (United Nations General Assembly, 2010). Our business impact on water outside these dependencies is negligible. 

      We monitor our water use and leverage a utility anomaly program to identify excessive usage across our footprint. When issues arise, we assess and resolve through our repairs and maintenance process. 

      In our business, we aim to utilize water-related efficiencies. 

      CVS Health is committed to accuracy and transparency when disclosing our environmental impacts and performance. We measure our water usage annually and leverage the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Aqueduct tool to evaluate water stress levels in the areas in which we operate and we disclose this information in our annual Impact Report.

      As we continue to advance responsible water management efforts, we also recognize how healthy water systems support the resilience of both natural environments and the communities we serve. Protecting and conserving water resources reinforces our broader Healthy 2030 impact strategy by reducing environmental burdens, supporting biodiversity and contributing to improved health outcomes across the places where we operate.

      The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as an important guide for how we manage water-related impacts and the CVS Health impact roadmap, Healthy 2030. The SDGs that inform our approach to water management and align with our business impacts include: Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; Goal 13: Climate Action; and Goal 15: Life on Land. 

      Oversight of this policy lies with the office of the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and is reviewed on an annual basis.