London, England: Launched at the sixth China International Import Expo in Shanghai, China, the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s China Council today launched a Health Working Group. This new collaboration, comprised of leading companies in China and China affiliates of multinational corporations, is committed to developing a collective roadmap to accelerate the delivery of net zero healthcare and a sustainable health system in China. Recognising the opportunity to work across sectors to drive scalable action, the Health Working Group includes senior representation from healthcare, energy, and supply chain sectors. 

The climate crisis is impacting human health, resulting in an increase in chronic conditions and infectious diseases, while also disrupting access to essential healthcare services. At the same time, almost 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions are from the healthcare sector, and therefore the sector has a vital role to play in reducing its environmental impact while treating the impacts of climate change.[1]

China is a major market for the discovery, development and manufacture of medicines and healthcare products, as well as digital healthcare innovation. As such, there are significant opportunities to decarbonise across the healthcare value chain in China and accelerate the delivery of sustainable healthcare provision.

Chaired by CR Pharmaceutical Commercial Group and co-chaired by AstraZeneca China, with the endorsement of the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC), the China Council Health Working Group includes 16 leading companies as its founding members. The collaboration was formally launched in the presence of CEO or equivalent-level representatives from member organisations at the sixth China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

In alignment with the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Health Systems Task Force, the China Council Health Working Group will focus its attention on delivering tangible, scalable action in three priority areas:

• Decarbonising Supply Chains: Accelerating the transition to green supply chains through the promotion and integration of low-carbon solutions across the healthcare sector.

• Decarbonising Healthcare Delivery: Identifying opportunities to reduce the emissions and environmental footprint of patient care delivery, whilst improving health outcomes.

• Decarbonising International Trade: Embedding sustainable, low-carbon practices in the international trade of pharmaceutical products and medical devices.

At the ceremony in Shanghai, founding members shared best practice initiatives which their organisations are working on in-country. These efforts demonstrate the convening power of the Sustainable Markets Initiative and the opportunities which the China Council and its Health Working Group will work towards to continue to accelerate a sustainable transition, for the health of Nature, People and Planet. 

Sustainable Markets Initiative China Council Health Working Group

Xiao Sun, Secretary General of CCOIC and Chair of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s China Council, stated: “In the future, the Health Working Group will gather the joint efforts of the Chinese and foreign business community in areas such as supply chain decarbonisation, medical service decarbonisation, and international trade decarbonisation, and jointly promote the transformation of the pharmaceutical and medical industry to having net zero emissions, helping to achieve harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.”

Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca and Chair of the Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force stated: “China is a leader in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines; a pioneer in digital innovation; and an engine for the global supply of healthcare. We therefore have a tremendous opportunity to learn from and collaborate with China on how to make healthcare more sustainable. The launch of the Sustainable Markets Initiative China Council Health Working Group marks a momentous step forward in our collective mission to create a sustainable future - for the health of people, society, and planet.”

Yuewei Han, Vice General Manager of China Resources Group, stated: “In the future, China Resources Group will continue to fulfil the mission of a State-owned key enterprise and make more contribution in the field of green and low-carbon development. I believe that under the leadership of the China Council and with the joint efforts of all members of the Health Working Group, the net zero emissions transformation of China's pharmaceutical and medical industry will be accelerated.”

China Council Health Working Group founding members:

1.    Alibaba Health Technology (China) Co., Ltd.

2.    AstraZeneca Investment (China) Co., Ltd.

3.    China Resources Double-Crane Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

4.    China Resources Pharmaceutical Commercial Group Co., Ltd.

5.    Envision Energy Co., Ltd.

6.    GlaxoSmithKline (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

7.    Merck

8.    Nanjing Tica Climate Solutions Co., Ltd.

9.    Novo Nordisk (China) Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.

10.  Qingdao Haier Biomedical Co., Ltd.

11.  Roche China

12.  Samsung Biologics

13.  Sanofi

14.  SF Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Co., Ltd.

15.  Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

16.  WeDoctor Group (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd.

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[1] The Lancet

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