Driving Sustainability in Health Tech Supply Chains through Procurement

This report describes how procurement can be a driver for sustainability and the role the health tech sector in Ireland can take in achieving climate change mitigation, the transition to the circular economy and Green Public Procurement (GPP) goals. At present, sustainability policies are not directly focused on creating the regulatory and market conditions to prioritise action and incentivise this sector. Given the significant presence of global and Irish health tech businesses, sustainable procurement presents a leadership opportunity which is currently untapped. HealthTech Ireland and their Sustainability Working Group propose a call for action and collaboration across industry and policymakers to progress next steps. This report summarises the status and evidence base to support this.

HealthTech Ireland and their Sustainability Working Group commissioned Davy Horizons, sustainability consultancy in Davy Group to conduct this research and produce this publication. The report examines the policy context and status of sustainable procurement and its enablers, as well as the current status of related policies on Climate Change, Circular Economy and GPP. It gathers existing international and Irish examples of best practice and makes recommendations for improving sustainable procurement for both policymakers and industry. Key stakeholders including HealthTech Ireland members, procurement leads in the public health sector, and policymakers were engaged to gain a deeper and more nuanced view of the practical application, opportunities and challenges for sustainable procurement within the Irish health tech industry.

This publication was launched at the HealthTech Ireland Symposium on May 30th 2023 in Ireland, and shared with the National Association Council of MedTech Europe and the MedTech Europe community at the MedTech Forum in Dublin on May 31st 2023 to facilitate evidence based information sharing, collaboration and scaling action.

Key Takeways 

• Sustainable procurement provides an important opportunity to decarbonise, reduce resource use and waste. In terms of environmental footprint, globally healthcare systems account for over 4% of GHG emissions and in Ireland, the healthcare sector emits an estimated 5% of the country's GHG emissions. In addition, the sector uses resources, and generates effluent and clinical waste, which is subject to regulated hazardous waste management treatment processes in Ireland. The sector uses a high volume of single use products for hygiene and disease prevention/ infection control, adding to resource use and waste.
• Economically, the health tech sector represents a significant footprint, and in Europe alone has grown in value from $8 billion to $41 billion between 2016 and 2021.
• While Climate Change, Circular Economy and GPP policies do not prioritise the health tech sector in Ireland yet, upcoming Health Service Executive (HSE) Climate Change Strategy makes for good timing for the health tech sector and policymakers to collaborate to fast-track action. The size of the health tech sector footprint in Irish hospitals across global and Irish brands provides a leadership opportunity.
• International best practice in policy, such as that in the UK's NHS and the Danish Healthcare service, plus in industry, such as Philips, HealthBeacon and Boston Scientific, already demonstrate a track record showing the way with business and environmental wins. This is also reflected in leadership examples in Ireland, some of which are illustrated in this report, including Tallaght University Hospital.
• Current barriers to action include the under-promotion of the business case for sustainability, lack of education and awareness, and the perceived and real complexities of safety when considering healthcare products. When education and knowledge gaps are addressed, there is a benefit to all in the public health sector.
• Collaboration and joined up thinking on green procurement across industry, HSE and policymakers, plus the appointment of a Sustainability Leader in the HSE are key calls to action building on existing stakeholder networks.

Download the full whitepaper via the link adjacent.