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The federal government has signed a public statement of collaboration with the United States and United Kingdom to decarbonise healthcare supply chains.

The in England and the are leading the public statement initiative, and other countries that have signed include Ireland and Norway.

Green procurement

Chris Gormley, Chief Sustainability Officer, National Health Service England, said, 鈥淭he NHS net zero supplier roadmap outlines the changes we鈥檙e introducing to help suppliers align with our net zero ambition, and we welcome work with colleagues in the USA, Australia and other countries to consider their own engagement with suppliers on this important issue.鈥�

The collaboration will see Australia participate in discussions about green procurement and, in particular, on two main areas: getting suppliers to disclose their carbon emissions and setting targets for reducing emissions.

The health system is responsible for around 5% of Australia鈥檚 carbon emissions. Many medicines and health technologies used in Australia are imported from overseas. It is estimated that these global supply chains account for around 75% of the Australian health sector鈥檚 carbon footprint.

Preparing for challenges

鈥淔rom extreme heat to more frequent bushfires, climate change is forever changing our environment and how we live. Australia needs a health system that is prepared for these challenges,鈥� said Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP.

鈥淎ddressing the health impacts of climate change requires everyone onboard; it requires international collaboration. Australia is stepping up and joining the UK and US in accelerating the decarbonisation of our health systems and supply chains.

鈥淩educing carbon emissions from the production and supply of healthcare goods and services is a very effective way to make healthcare greener.鈥�

Australia鈥檚 involvement in this collaboration follows the release of the at the 28th United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai in 2023.

Support from the health workforce

There is strong support from the health workforce for reducing health system emissions, with the federal government working with states and territories to develop or strengthen green healthcare procurement policies, said a statement from Kearney.

The announcement contributes to two of the National Health and Climate Strategy鈥檚 objectives, including building a sustainable, high-quality, net zero health system, as well as collaborating internationally.

John Balbus, Director of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, United States Department of Health and Human Services, said, 鈥淲e are pleased to collaborate with the Australian Government. 鈥淭his type of cooperation is critical to accelerating our efforts to reduce the significant emissions associated with the health sector鈥檚 global supply chain.鈥�

Image credit: iStock.com/Khanchit Khirisutchalual