Why HealthTech will be key to meeting net zero

With a drought announced in England,¹ this Summer, the need for environmental intervention becomes more apparent by the day. Indeed, the sustainability agenda is vital in this climate – environmentally, socially and economically. At the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), we are taking this agenda seriously, alongside our members.

Healthcare has a key role to play in this. The NHS equates to 4% of England’s total carbon footprint,² a significant impact, which explains why the healthcare system has taken sustainability forward as such a priority. Ahead of the Government target of being net zero by 2050,³ the NHS is aiming⁴ for the emissions they control directly to be net zero by 2040 (the NHS Carbon Footprint) and those they can influence to be net zero by 2045 (the NHS Carbon Footprint Plus).⁴ (See Fig. 1) 

The NHS itself has various targets and initiatives internally to reach their net zero direct emissions target of 2040 – but, for those supplying to the NHS, there is a very specific set of milestones that need to be achieved. The net zero supplier roadmap⁵ details the journey suppliers and, therefore, Health Technology (HealthTech) organisations, need to make in considering their impact in terms of social value and reducing their carbon footprint (see Fig 2).