NHS off track to meet 2040 net zero targets

The NHS will not achieve its net zero targets without taking urgent action to reduce carbon emissions, says a new study. 

The research from University of Exeter sets out the scale of the challenge the NHS faces and calculates that its carbon footprint, including its wider supply chain, is 31 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, of which 62% can be attributed to its suppliers.

The report states that to achieve the government’s target for the NHS of net zero by 2040, emissions must be reduced 8% each year from 2020 to 2036 – a rate far higher than the 1% historical average.

To meet emissions targets, the report calls for the extensive adoption of circular economy practices across the NHS and its suppliers.

Markus Zils, co-author of the report and professor for circular economy and management science at the University of Exeter, said: “NHS leaders have outlined their commitments to making health services more sustainable, but the pace of change has to swiftly accelerate. Our research has outlined that meeting the NHS’s ambitious net zero targets is only possible with the adoption of circular economy practices.

“It is critical that companies and key supply chain partners work with the NHS and wider health system to begin this journey. Such a transformation would dramatically enhance the patient experience, improve financial efficiency and reduce the system’s environmental impact.”

The report states that stakeholders across government, the NHS and industry must work together to set a new standard for procurement, improve supply chain due diligence and foster innovation to ensure a shift to circular economy practices is sustained.