The NHS has committed to reaching Net Zero by 2040 for the emissions it controls directly, and by 2045 for the emissions it can influence, through the goods and services that it buys from partners and suppliers.
At Health Innovation West of England, we are committed to the NHS Net Zero targets, as part of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and as a member of the national Health Innovation Network.
As Health Innovation Networks, our mission is to spread innovation at pace and scale, improving health and generating economic growth. So supporting the NHS to reach Net Zero is critical to this mission and all Health Innovation Networks have committed to completing a Carbon Reduction Plan.
Our Carbon Reduction Plan has been agreed and is now available to download here.
What is a Carbon Reduction Plan?
The NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap sets out the steps suppliers must take to align with the NHS Net Zero ambition through to 2030.
In April 2023, NHS England announced that for all new contracts above £5 million per annum, suppliers must publish a Carbon Reduction Plan for their UK scope 1 and 2 emissions and a subset of scope 3 emissions as a minimum, aligning with the government’s Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21.
From 1 April 2024, the NHS extended the Carbon Reduction Plan requirements to cover all new procurements.
These requirements apply to the commissioning and purchasing of goods, works and services, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare services.
A Carbon Reduction Plan identifies a supplier’s current carbon footprint and their plan to achieve Net Zero emissions in scopes 1, 2 and a minimum subset of five scope 3 categories by 2050 or earlier. As these requirements align with those of PPN 06/21, any existing and current Carbon Reduction Plan developed according to these central government guidelines will be accepted by the NHS.
Find out more about the requirements by reading the NHS Guidance or by joining an NHS England webinar about Net Zero and procurement.
Want to know more about what scopes 1 – 3 mean? Check out our video.
Health Innovation West of England is committed to mitigating the impacts of climate change through our work with NHS organisations and innovators. Where possible, we make efforts to conserve energy and reduce waste in our offices and events, as well as supporting our staff to make sustainable choices.
Whilst offsetting carbon is a key step in mitigating the impacts of emissions, it is not a substitute for reducing carbon emissions. Our current focus is on reaching Net Zero through carbon reduction rather than offset.
Find out more about how Health Innovation Networks are supporting innovators towards Net Zero here or watch our short video.
Posted on January 30, 2025
News you may like
Ben Bennett to retire as Chief Operating Officer
The team at Health Innovation West of England is bidding a fond farewell to our Chief Operating Officer Ben Bennett, who will be retiring at the start of May after 34 years with the NHS. Ben has led the corporate, HR and finance functions for the organisation since 2018. Before joining Health Innovation West of…
Read more
Karin Smyth MP joins local Health Innovation Network in promoting economic growth through health care
Last week, the Health Innovation Network brought together MPs with its 15 local networks, including Health Innovation West of England, to discuss the importance of innovation in tackling the NHS’s most pressing challenges, such as reducing waiting lists, tackling health inequalities and improving the update of medicines. The health and life sciences sector offers a…
Read more
Rhys Blake joins Health Innovation West of England’s leadership team
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Rhys Blake as our new Director of Corporate and Development. With over 25 years of senior management experience in the NHS, most recently as Associate Director for Planned Care with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in Wales, Rhys will be a senior leadership team member and will…
Read more
