The NHS aims to be carbon neutral by 2040 on the emissions it controls directly and has set a target of 2045 to be neutral on the emissions it influences. In November 2021, the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care published an open letter to all NHS Trusts in England.
Within this letter, it stated.
“I also want to work with all NHS Stakeholders to ensure that net zero and biodiversity are part of the very values and principles that underpin our NHS”
Arm’s Length Bodies and other institutions that form the fundamental infrastructure of the NHS, including NICE, Health Education England, NHS property Services, NIHR, UKRI and SBRI have all recently published their plans to achieve the overall net zero strategy.
The health of the nation
Moving towards a more sustainable healthcare system in the UK will reduce carbon emissions and help to mitigate the impact of climate change and will also improve the health of the entire population. The environmental and societal aspects of the world have a direct impact on our health and effect long-term conditions.
The diagnostics industry in the UK is innovative and is leading in the identification and diagnosis of some of the worlds deadliest diseases and health conditions. Innovation is paramount and is an opportunity to further strengthen UK based and global manufacturers who are established in the UK with a competitive advantage from competition by working more sustainably.
During 2021 BIVDA provided a Sustainability Training Program for all of its members as a baseline to prepare and enable progress towards the NHS targets. This concluded in December.
Sustainability is a key issue of operational transformation that the IVD sector must consider in our collective corporate social responsibility and the duty we all share to protect the environment.
The next steps
During 2022, we expect to see the launch of NHS England and Improvement’s Evergreen Supplier Framework, and the adoption of PPN 06/20 where all NHS tenders need to include 10% weighting on net zero and social value. The NHS Terms and Conditions for the Supply of Goods and Provision of Services will be issued in the Spring. The new terms and conditions are aligned to NHS net zero, include the mandatory requirements to include net zero and social value at tender, include the Evergreen assessment and set expectations for modern slavery reduction through the supply chain.
Evergreen
There are 4 published levels of the NHS Sustainable Supplier Assessment, which will record how suppliers are aligning with the NHS’s Sustainability ambitions. It is expected to be a self- certification and initially voluntarily. These levels are.
Minimum Expectation – Comply with the expectations of the Supplier Roadmap, demonstrate social value through contract delivery.
Level 1 – Early Adopter – meets the minimum expectation and publicly commits to emissions in Scope 1 and 2 and has a public ethical sourcing policy and supply chain risk assessment.
Level 2 – Mature – Meets minimum expectation, meets all of level 1 and publicly demonstrates reduction in emissions, committed targets to Scope 3, carbon reduction plan and reporting and modern slavery audits in perceived supply chain hotspots.
Level 3 – Influencer – Meets minimum expectation, meets all of level 1, and level 2 and is a high performer on global sustainability reporting platforms, sets targets that are independently verified and demonstrates collaboration with other suppliers with either embedding circular economy principles in products and measures the carbon foot print or shows leadership across the UN Sustainable Development goals.
In 2023 PPN 06/21 will require all contracts over £5mm will require suppliers to publish their carbon reduction plans, an analysis of key supplier markets has informed the development of the NHS approach and timing, which gives suppliers an additional 18 months to prepare for its application. In 2027 all suppliers will be required to publish their carbon reduction plans aligned to net zero targets for their direct and indirect emissions with carbon foot printing of products introduced in 2028 and from 2030, all suppliers will be required to demonstrate their progress in line with the NHS net zero targets through reporting standards.
With these milestones in mind, during 2022, members can expect us to;
- Monitor PPNs and inform members of relevant updates.
- Keep up to date on any new requirements from contracting authorities and the government or market developments and inform members of these.
- Set up a microsite for members of resources to include, but not be limited to: –
- o Supporting media links and websites
- o Tools
- o Templates
- o Updates
• Engage with NHSE&I to identify more information around Evergreen, timelines and suppliers’ requirements.
• Identify training needs related to any new updates from contracting authorities.
• Support members in the Net Zero road map, providing information, updates, training and tools in how to deliver that.
• Engage with external experts to provide experience and knowledge to enhance members skills around Environmental and Social sustainability to help them achieve success in tendering with contracting authorities.
• Deliver 2 Sustainability Workshops.
• Include standing agenda items at the Procurement Working Party meetings.
• Identify the evaluation models for Social Value that are being used by the members various contracting authorities.
• Develop and deliver training and tools to members so members can understand what social value is, how it is being evaluated, how to maximise scoring to be successful in tenders and signpost members to support mechanisms to deliver within the organisations.
• Keep up to date on CAFA and regularly inform members how BIVDA is implementing the goals internally.
• Answer BIVDA members enquiries on any sustainability topics and develop a solution to meet these.
Any member who needs support, or would like to volunteer to help shape the Sustainability programme for BIVDA, please get in touch!
