The NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap – what is means for suppliers to the NHS

The NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap – what is means for suppliers to the NHS

The NHS has committed to become a net zero carbon national health service for the emissions it controls by 2040, and for the emissions it influences by 2045. Suppliers to the NHS play a big role in the achievement of these targets, which is why in September 2021, NHSE released the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap.

Since its implementation, some key things have already changed for suppliers:

1. All procurements over threshold have a 10% minimum requirement for social value
2. All new Framework and above threshold procurements must have a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP), or for smaller procurements, suppliers must have a Net Zero commitment

So, where to start?

It sounds simple, but we don’t know how to get somewhere if we don’t know where we are now.

Our main advice to suppliers is to start looking at global emissions now to ensure they can report their emissions in a CRP and get ready for the targets in 2027 and 2028 on the supplier roadmap – this will provide the time needed to gather the facts and figures and have steps in place to start making a positive impact on carbon emissions.

The supply of goods and services typically accounts for 50-60% of total emissions (scope 3.1). Tracking and reporting on this will be undoubtedly challenging, but there’s a lot of resources available to help:

1. The GHG protocol has guidelines on how to measure scope 3.1 emissions
2. NHSE has guidance on how to publish CRPs, as well as templates
3. Free online calculators will help you with populating the NHSE template
4. NHSE is offering support for suppliers to help them fulfil the requirements, including regular webinars and a CRP checking service. Suppliers can access the checking service by contacting the following email address: crp-check@nhs.net
5. The cabinet office offers a free CRP checking service – just send your CRP and they will advise whether it’s compliant and if it’s missing anything

Want to learn more?

Olivia Murphy-Fawcett, Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, recently featured on the HCI ‘Carbon Reduction, Sustainability and the Green Plan – What it means for NHS suppliers’ webinar, during which she talks in more detail about the requirements for suppliers, how they can get started with CRPs, and some top tips on common mistakes to avoid.