Decarbonisation of the global healthcare system is the priority for new Taskforce launched at COP26, as part of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales’ Sustainable Markets Initiative
For the first time, a unique collaboration of leaders from global life sciences, international institutions, healthcare systems, academia and policymakers have come together to form a Health Systems Taskforce part of the Sustainable Markets Initiative. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales convened the Taskforce to accelerate the delivery of net zero, sustainable healthcare to improve individual, societal and planetary health.
Dr. Fiona Adshead, Chair, Sustainable Healthcare Coalition, said: “This ground-breaking global initiative is a very real opportunity to both improve health and reduce the environmental impact of healthcare at the same time. By using metrics and measurement the group will aim to demonstrate impact on health outcomes and environmental footprint.”
The climate emergency is also a public health emergency, contributing to an increase in chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses. Air pollution as a result of emissions and pollutants is estimated to kill over eight million people per annum. The healthcare sector has a vital role to play in mitigating against and treating the impact of the climate crisis. The healthcare sector is estimated to produce approximately 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Recognising that more must be done 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.
Championed by AstraZeneca’s Chief Executive Officer, Pascal Soriot, the Health Systems Taskforce includes CEO and equivalent-level representation from GSK, Merck, Roche, Samsung Biologics, Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, NHS England, the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition, the Health and Global Policy Institute of Japan, the Karolinska Institutet and the University of Pavia. The group has been formally launched at COP26 in Glasgow to seize upon the momentum created by the gathering of global leaders to tackle climate change.
In coordination with other SMI Taskforces, the Health Systems Taskforce will focus its attention on delivering action in the following three priority areas:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 assessment of the environmental impact of Health Systems, in education and wider policy change. National and global decision-makers will be updated on the Taskforce’s activities and it will provide regular reports on progress in the lead up to COP27 in 2022.
Health Systems Taskforce