The healthcare sector contributes over 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Recognising that the sector must do more to drive the sustainable transition, members of the Taskforce are committed to developing a collective roadmap to accelerate the delivery of a net zero, sustainable health system.

In coordination with other SMI Taskforces, the Health Systems Taskforce will focus its attention on delivering action in the following three priority areas:

1. Digital healthcare

The group will identify opportunities to utilise digital innovation and technology to accelerate the shift to net zero across the sector. Areas of focus may include incentivising innovation and increasing regulatory harmonisation for digital technologies and AI across R&D, manufacturing and supply and healthcare delivery.

2. Supply chains

The group will work to accelerate the net zero transition across health systems supply chains. Areas of focus may include infrastructure, freight and logistics, the procurement of goods and services, and driving greater innovation and circularity across the supply chain.

3. Patient care pathways

The group will identify opportunities to deliver net zero, patient-centric care. Areas of focus may include increasing investment and incentives for the prevention of ill health, early detection and diagnosis, and optimising care to improve outcomes for patients, health systems, the environment and society at large.

The Taskforce will also focus on the development of initiatives and shared commitments in the areas of:

• The measurement of and metrics for the assessment of the environmental impact of Health Systems; and

• Education and wider policy change

The Taskforce can invite additional subject matter experts. The Taskforce will keep national and global policy and decision-makers updated on its activities, and will provide regular reports on progress in the lead up to COP27 in 2022.

The Taskforce and its members will operate on a consensus basis. None of the content or outputs from the Taskforce will be related to or focused on specific products and they will not be promotional. Taskforce members will not share commercially sensitive or confidential information concerning their products or activities. All Taskforce members are committed to ensuring that the Taskforce and its activities will be conducted in a manner that complies with applicable laws in order to deliver on its mission to improve individual, societal and planetary health.

Recognising that healthcare contributes to 4-5% of greenhouse gas emissions per year, members of the SMI Health Systems Taskforce are calling for collective action to accelerate the delivery of net zero health systems. Together, they are encouraging everyone involved in healthcare delivery to consider how they can contribute to the decarbonisation of the sector – from defining science-based targets for reducing emissions and strengthening reporting practices to switching to renewable energy sources and green transport options. Read more on the Devex Op-Ed here

Taskforce Members

Further information

For roundtable and Task Force enquiries please contact, Jerome Fitzgerald, Chief Industry Officer, Sustainable Markets Initiative:

Email: j.fitzgerald@sustainable-markets.org