Health Care
This sector relates to the following sub-sectors: Health Care Retail, Health Care Providers, and Medical Technology.
Medical Technology
Each section below relates to the TPT Disclosure Framework principles of Action and Accountability. The below provides further guidance for sub-elements 4.1 and 4.3. The TPT welcomes comments on this guidance to ensure it is as useful as possible for preparers and users. The text is open for comment until Friday, 24 November. Please select the feedback form at the bottom of the page. The final text will be updated in February.
This sub-sector includes companies that operate in the Medical Equipment & Supplies industry, which researches, develops and produces medical, surgical, dental, ophthalmic and veterinary instruments and devices. Hospitals, clinics and laboratories use these products, which range from disposable items to highly specialised equipment.
1. Energy consumption from renewables or other zero-GHG emissions sources1, 3, 7
- use renewable energy, either generated on-site (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines) or procured from third-party providers to power manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and other facilities;
- shift to zero-GHG emissions energy sources for operations, including the transition to zero-carbon electricity using renewable energy certificates or power-purchase agreements;
- partner with energy providers and utilities to ensure zero-GHG emissions energy options are available and feasible; and
- invest in advanced energy management systems to optimise energy use across facilities.
2. Investment in low-GHG emissions buildings and infrastructure1, 3, 7
- design and construct facilities with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, such as green roofs, optimised insulation, and passive heating/cooling;
- integrate low-GHG emissions construction materials, emphasising recyclability and low embodied carbon;
- prioritise green building certifications, such as LEED or BREEAM, for new constructions and renovations;
- shift to renewable energy sources for operations, including the transition to green electricity using renewable energy certificates or power-purchase agreements;
- partner with energy providers and utilities to ensure green energy options are available and feasible; and invest in advanced energy management systems to optimise energy use across facilities.
3. Implement Circular Health Care and Sustainable Health Care Waste Management1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 6
- minimise single-use items and emphasise reusability, repairing, remanufacturing, and recovering of materials (e.g., surgical instruments);
- work on waste reduction initiatives, focusing on both pre-consumer (manufacturing waste) and post-consumer (end-user) waste; and
- invest in R&D for biodegradable or compostable alternatives for traditionally non-recyclable components.
4. Engage suppliers to reduce emissions6,8
- develop common supplier standards around emissions disclosure and target setting;
- fund green tech research and development; and
- include sustainability as a criterion in purchasing and coverage decisions.
- percentage of produced or procured electricity from zero-GHG emissions energy sources;2
- percent purchased goods and services supplied by companies performing carbon disclosures with a science-based target for emissions reduction;2
- number/percentage of labs across major pharma and med tech companies are My Green Lab certified at the green level;2
- total energy consumption (GJ) by source (self-generated or purchased) and by fuel type;1,2
- total hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal (Mt), by disposal method (incinerated, landfill and recycled);2 and
- total amount of products accepted for take-back and reused, recycled or donated, broken down by: (1) devices and equipment and (2) supplies.2
Relevant Scope 3 categories may include:
- Category 1: Purchased goods and services; 3
- Category 4: Upstream transportation and distribution;3
- Category 9: Downstream transportation and distribution;3
- Category 11: Use of sold products;3 and
- Category 12: End-of-life treatment of sold products.3
Medical Technology literature
- Arup & Health Care Without Harm, Health Care’s Climate Footprint: How the health sector contributes to the global climate crisis and opportunities for action (Green Paper Number One), 2019
- AstraZeneca, Sustainability Data Summary 2021., 2021
- Boston Consulting Group, MedTech’s Green Moment Is Here | BCG, 2023
- ISPE, Sustainability: Toward Zero Carbon in the Pharmaceutical Industry, 2020
- McKinsey & Company, Accelerating the transition to net zero in life sciences | McKinsey, 2023
- Rizan et al., The carbon footprint of products used in five common surgical operations: identifying contributing products and processes, 2023
- Sustainable Markets Initiative, Decarbonising Healthcare Supply Chains: Recommendations on how to drive emissions reductions across healthcare supply chains, 2022
- Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force, Joint Supplier Targets, 2023
Your feedback
The TPT welcomes comments on the Sector Summary to ensure it is as useful as possible for preparers and users. The Sector Summary was open for comment until Friday 24 November and, following consideration of the feedback received, will be updated in February. Thank you to the industry experts who provided comments.
