The National Health Service (NHS) is the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in the United Kingdom. It is also one of the world’s largest employers, with over 1.2 million staff members.
In recent years, the NHS has made a commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 2020, which will help it reach its net zero targets. However, reports have shown that the NHS is not on track to hit these targets.
In this blog post, we will discuss how NHS contracts and different framework agreements can help them reach their net zero goals.
Keep reading to discover the NHS contracts, if contract opportunities will help them to hit targets on carbon reduction, and much more.
What Are the NHS Carbon Reduction Plans?
The NHS has set a target to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050.
In order to achieve this, they have made a number of plans and changes. For example, they have committed to switching to low-carbon energy sources, such as renewable energy.
They have also invested in energy efficiency measures, such as LED lighting and insulation. In addition, the NHS has been reviewing their commissioning process with suppliers to help them reduce their carbon emissions.
Moreover, the NHS has been working to raise awareness of climate change and its impact on health. They have been delivering educational campaigns, such as the ‘Act on CO2’ campaign.
What Are Their Direct and Indirect Emissions?
Direct emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels, such as natural gas, oil, and coal. These are used for heating buildings and powering equipment.
Indirect emissions are those that are produced when goods or services are purchased from other organizations. For example, the emissions from manufacturing or transportation.
The NHS has both direct and indirect emissions. However, the majority of their emissions come from indirect sources. This is because most of the goods and services that they purchase are produced using fossil fuels.
In order to reduce their emissions, the NHS needs to work with suppliers and government organisations who can help them switch to low-carbon alternatives.
Furthermore, the government has set a target for the NHS to reduce its emissions by 30% by the year 2025.
In order to meet this target, the NHS will need to make significant changes. For example, they may need to purchase low-carbon goods and services or switch to renewable energy sources.
Are There Any Future/Upcoming Changes in Requirements?
In April 2019, the government introduced a new mandatory requirement for all public sector organizations to report their carbon emissions. This includes emissions from both direct and indirect sources.
The reporting must be done annually, and the first reports are due in April 2020. In addition, the government has said that it will introduce a new target for the public sector to reduce its emissions by 30% by the year 2025.
This means that all organizations, including the NHS, will need to make further reductions in order to meet this target.
To ensure that they are able to meet these new requirements, contractors will need to work with the NHS to help them reduce their emissions.
This may include helping them switch to low-carbon energy sources, investing in energy efficiency measures, or working with suppliers to help them reduce their carbon emissions.
What Is the Supplier Framework?
The supplier framework is a system that is used by the NHS to assess and select suppliers. In order to qualify for an NHS contract, suppliers must be able to demonstrate their progress through progress reports and carbon emissions reporting.
The NHS will also consider other factors, such as the price of the goods or services, the quality of the products or services, and the environmental impact of the supplier.
When selecting a supplier, the NHS will also take into account the supplier’s ability to help them meet their carbon reduction targets. This means that contractors who can help the NHS reduce their emissions will be at an advantage when competing for contracts.
In conclusion, NHS tenders can play a vital role in helping the organization reach its net zero targets. By working with contractors who can help them reduce their emissions, the NHS can make significant progress towards its goals.
How Exactly Can NHS Suppliers and Buyers Help Lower Emissions Then?
NHS tenders can help lower emissions in a few ways:
- By working with contractors who can help the NHS switch to low-carbon energy sources, such as renewable energy.
- By investing in energy efficiency measures, such as LED lighting and insulation.
- By working with suppliers to help them reduce their carbon emissions. This may include helping them switch to low-carbon alternatives or investing in energy efficiency measures.
- By ensuring that all future reports on carbon emissions are accurate and up-to-date. This will allow the NHS to make informed decisions about where they can make further reductions.
The NHS is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, and working with NHS contracts and contractors who can help them meet their goals is a vital part of this process.
By selecting suppliers who can offer low-carbon solutions, the NHS can make significant progress towards its net-zero targets.
Net Zero Targets Expected
In conclusion, the NHS is not on track to reach its net zero targets. However, by working with NHS suppliers who can help them reduce their emissions, the NHS can make significant progress toward its goals.
By re-evaluating its commissioning process and selecting suppliers who can offer low-carbon solutions, the NHS can make progress towards meeting its net-zero targets.
Get in touch with us to discover what it takes to win contracts and framework agreements with government organisations and engage with contracts to win.
