Inspiring action for a more sustainable country
Launch of Sustainability Innovation Call
NHS Scotland has a significant impact on the environment, making up about 5% of the country’s carbon footprint, from building energy and medical treatment to its fleet of vehicles. In efforts to reduce that impact, NHS Scotland’s climate emergency and sustainability strategy was launched with aims to become a net zero health service by 2040 at the latest. However collective action by the entire NHS community is needed to achieve the ambitious green targets set out.
Sustainability Innovation Call
Launched in October 2022, to encourage sustainable, forward-thinking ideas from health and social care professionals and help support NHS Scotland to adapt, develop and strengthen in response to climate change.
Ideas fitting the green and sustainable theme were encouraged such as multiplex or lower carbon devices, greener packaging methods, surgical equipment that could incorporate plant-based sutures or dressings, or approaches to equipment that can be sterilised and reused as opposed to single-use disposal. Use of technology was also encouraged, or new manufacturing processes to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Support and Expertise
By focusing directly on environmental benefit, the Sustainability Innovation Call was a direct appeal to the 190,000-strong NHS Scotland workforce, those who know the challenges best, with an opportunity to innovate and make a vital contribution to net zero. This was combined with a package of support including regulatory, project management and innovation expertise.
The call was launched to coincide with COP26 in Glasgow, NHS Scotland’s own Sustainability Conference, and achieved positive endorsement by Sustainability leads across various NHS Boards.
A greener health service that responds to environmental risks and meaningfully changes the way it operates is a better health service
Graham Watson, Executive Chair, InnoScot Health
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