Decarbonizing the healthcare supply chain: strategic actions for health systems

The health and well-being of people across the globe are increasingly affected by climate change. With increasing extreme weather events and humanitarian crises, climate change is also impacting the ability of health systems to deliver care. Health systems themselves contribute to climate change, with the health care sector responsible for roughly 5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Of the emissions associated with health care, 60–80% are generated by the health care supply chain through the goods and services supplied to health systems.

The report provides guidance to health systems on decarbonizing their supply chains through changing the way they select, procure, and use goods and services by supporting greater alignment in sustainable procurement practices across health systems, to amplify decarbonization efforts and accelerate collective actions.  The report expands on complementary approaches on accelerating supplier action to decarbonize their products, services and operations and optimizing demand through clinically and operationally led actions to promote environmentally sustainable and low carbon substitutes and efficient use of products and services. It highlights approaches health system leaders and policymakers can take to decarbonize supply chains, including practical procurement levers and operational and clinical low regret actions.

This report was developed by the World Health Organization together with the National Health Service of England (NHSE). It forms part of a suite of materials being developed in the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) to support member countries to build climate-resilient and low carbon health systems.