Decarbonising the NHS Supply Chain

Global healthcare sectors contribute significantly to climate change. Healthcare makes up more than 4% net global climate emissions. If it were a country, it would be the fifth-largest climate polluter on the planet. Most health sector emissions, up to 70% are embedded in the supply chain, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices.   

In globalised supply chain contexts, it would not be wise for any single nation to set standards that few others intend to follow. Now that the UK is a single market in a global marketplace, it is more important than ever that the UK’s leaders find consensus among their peers before ushering in new supplier rules and regulations. Without international alignment, the UK risks multinational corporations retreating from the NHS while start-ups and small to medium enterprises become internationally uncompetitive.