NHS Net Zero...
What is it & how does it affect suppliers?

The NHS Net Zero Plan is a sub-part of the larger NHS Long Term Plan, in which the National Health Service lays out a specific plan for the next decade in terms of saving lives, reducing carbon emissions, and putting more funds into different healthcare sectors.

In terms of the environment, the NHS aim to be the world’s first net zero national health service by the means of 2 targets:

- Reducing the NHS Carbon Footprint by 20% by 2028-2032.
- Reducing the NHS Carbon Footprint Plus (emissions the NHS influence such as supply chain) by 80% by 2036-2039.

As the NHS currently make up 4% of the entire UK’s carbon footprint, the NHS have recognised the need for urgent and effective change towards the current operations within their service.

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— How are the NHS planning to reduce their carbon footprint?

The NHS plan to implement multiple changes within their various services to reduce their overall use of carbon emissions.

The changes come in the form of transport and travel, in which they aim to have 90% of all NHS vehicles using low, ultra-low, and zero-emission vehicles by 2028, ensuring the newest and most innovative products are being used.

Other bigger changes include the plans for the construction of 40 new ‘net zero’ hospitals, and a £50 million LED lighting replacement programme which aims to save over £3 billion in the next 3 decades along with the improvement of patient comfort.

— How does the NHS Net Zero affect suppliers?

The NHS is beginning to introduce new rules to its supply chain framework agreements which states that suppliers must comply and work towards the Net Zero Plan within their own business. As other supply chains make up 24% of total NHS carbon emissions, it is vital that any company that supplies goods to the NHS be compliant with the plan.

Currently, the NHS procure products from over 80,000 suppliers, and are taking steps to implement a more efficient use of suppliers, find low carbon substitutes, product innovation, and to ensure suppliers are decarbonising their own processes.

— So, what should suppliers do?

Suppliers who are already on or are looking to apply to be on the NHS Supply Chain must comply with the NHS Net Zero Plan and produce a plan for their own reduction in carbon emissions and plastic use within their supply process.
This could mean a switch to sustainable power within their sites, changing their vehicle fleet to low/no emission vehicles, or switching their packaging to a more sustainable option.
Like the NHS, suppliers could also inspire change by creating an incentive for their staff to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle: using electric vehicles or cycling to work, for example.

How can you reduce the spread of monkeypox?

Luckily, the world has had a lot of practice with the safety measures that were put in place with the spread of COVID-19 in the last 3 years, and the measures to reduce the spread of monkeypox is the same as those good practices.
Practice good hygiene such as hand washing, coughing into a tissue, and regularly sanitising hands and skin. Social distancing is also a precaution that can be used to reduce the spread, along with the reintroduction of wearing masks while in a public space.

Our Sustainable Package

We at Nine Group have made it a goal in the coming years to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible by looking at the innovation of products, packing, and the way we deliver our goods to our clients.

With the knowledge that 7 million tonnes of cardboard is wasted in landfill in the UK every year, Nine Group made the decision to try and change the way in which we deliver goods and services.

To reduce our impact towards this statistic, we have recently introduced and are currently rolling out, the use of reusable plastic totes for delivery of goods.
These totes are made from recycled plastic and are able to reduce our use of cardboard boxes by an astonishing figure. Our clients receive their items in the totes on our fleet and keep them until we return with another order or collect when next passing.

For more information or if you’d like to start using our Tote boxes, scan our QR code...