The Optical Suppliers Association (OSA) is urging all optical businesses to start on the Government Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) now, with the message – get ahead, be early.
During an OSA/NHS Net Zero supplier roadmap webinar held last week, Ben Calder-Travis, NHS net zero and sustainability project manager, emphasised that “a climate emergency is a health emergency”. He stressed that the NHS had a wide approach to delivering net zero and social value, plus driving innovation.
All optical businesses supplying the NHS are urged to prepare for the introduction of accountability for net zero targets. The initial call is for businesses bidding for new contracts in excess of £5m per annum from April 2023, but the threshold is set to be reduced – thereby bringing more companies into line soon afterwards.
During the webinar, it was highlighted that the NHS has laid out scope 1,2,3 for reaching net zero by 2045, with the aim of 80 per cent reduction before that date. The net zero supplier roadmap is clearly laid out in a number of NHS websites and webinars. By April 2027, all NHS suppliers will be publicly required to report their targets.
Alongside this, under the Social Value Model (April 2022 milestone), there is an additionality aspect, which looks to see what businesses are doing over and above what they are already bringing to the contract in terms of sustainability. CRPs, Ben explained, are aligned to international standards such as the greenhouse gas protocol, and the emissions scopes within this.
The benefits of using the Evergreen Supplier Assessment were also highlighted: a voluntary Atamis-based tool for e-commerce procurement which suppliers are already using to share information on where they are on their sustainability journey with the NHS. This provides benchmarking for future roadmap requirements.
Ben told delegates that the NHS was keen to boost awareness and provide support for businesses in their CRP journey, explaining that “the requirements and supporting webinars were very useful for internal lobbying and for driving conversations within a business. They have great value within a UK operation of a global business too.”
The key messages were:
To receive the NHS/OSA webinar, and all links, contact Marianne MacRitchie by emailing mmacritchie@osa-uk.co.uk