How can the medical devices sector move beyond ‘green washing’ and improve its sustainability credentials? Graeme Cameron, Dan Wilson and Rich Shaw answer some burning questions on the role of industry and NHS procurement in helping achieve Net Zero.
When NHS England set out its goal for Net Zero by 2045, this imperative put the entire supply chain on the same journey. Inevitably, suppliers were impacted through procurement and new requirements that had to be met. However, a positive aspect of this change was that it also provided those who were doing more in this area an opportunity to 'score' more positively, improving their chances of securing contracts. One early change was the introduction of a 10% weighting on social value and, more recently, the Evergreen Assessment. Together, they provide a broad view of the progress and initiatives a company is making in terms of sustainability.
The devolved nations are looking to align with NHS England's Net Zero targets. Similar requirements are being introduced by healthcare providers in Europe, with those further afield, such as the US, expected to follow in the near future. So, this isn't a UK-specific trend; it's a global shift. The majority of HealthTech companies will have already felt the shift and are in the process of building short- and long-term strategies around how they will respond.
The NHS has identified that approximately 10% of its emissions come from the medical devices it purchases. Although this is not an insignificant impact, it is the same as that from non-medical equipment and half the emissions associated with medicines and chemicals.
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