Insert text and press Enter to Search

Supporting NHS Net Zero

Medicines make up about 25% of NHS emissions, with inhalers accounting for around 3%.1Reducing the carbon footprint of the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry are reliant on each other, and we need to work together towards innovative approaches and solutions that can help the healthcare sector and system to become greener.

 

The climate crisis is a health crisis.

 

Climate change can have a profound impact on human health as well as the health of our planet, and affects the most vulnerable more severely. Particularly in diseases such as asthma and COPD, climate-related factors such as pollen and weather are worsening people's symptoms and causing concern.2

Understanding that climate change undermines the fundamental pillars of good health, the NHS has set 2 clear targets:

 

To become Net Zero by 2040 for the emissions within direct control.3

 

To become Net Zero by 2045 for the emissions it has the ability to influence.3

 

Chiesi is committed to becoming Net Zero by 2035. Since we are a supplier to the NHS, significantly reducing our own emissions will have a positive impact on the ability of the NHS, and UK more widely, to meet their own Net Zero goals.

We also work collaboratively with the NHS to plan how we can improve sustainability together. We were part of the NHS Evergreen pilot which is a sustainable supplier assessment tool enabling suppliers to align with the NHS Net Zero roadmap and engage with the NHS on their sustainability journey.4

 

ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGHOUT OUR VALUE CHAIN

For Chiesi to be a sustainable supplier to the NHS, we also need to ensure that we are working with suppliers that share our commitment to high standards of social and environmental impact. We have a Code of Interdependence which was co-developed with our own suppliers outlining a set of common values through which Chiesi aims to only collaborate with companies and partners that share our commitment to sustainability. Additionally, we use an independent platform called EcoVadis to evaluate and continuously measure the sustainability of ourselves and our partners.

 

We have also pioneered a number of initatives that help to address the challenges of medical waste.

Take AIR

We launched the Action for Inhaler Recycling scheme in partnership with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Leicestershire and Rutland Local Pharmaceutical Committee to test the feasibility of postal inhaler recycling. This allowed users to recycle their empty, unwanted or out of date inhalers safely and effectively through the post.

Click here to read more about Take AIR

RE-HALE

We launced a Collaborative Working Project with NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, allowing people in the East Kent area to recycle their used or unwanted inhalers at a convenient location close to their home.

Click here to read more about Re-Hale

Carbon Reduction Plan

We report annually to the NHS on our sustainability credentials as a supplier through our Carbon Reduction Plan.

Click here to read our Carbon Reduction Plan

 

References

  1. NHS England. Greener NHS» Delivering a net zero NHS»Areas of focus. 2020. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/a-net-zero-nhs/areas-of-focus/
  2. NHS England. Delivering a “Net Zero” National Health Service. 2022. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2022/07/B1728-delivering-a-net-zero-nhs-july-2022.pdf
  3. NHS England» Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhs-commercial/central-commercial-function-ccf/evergreen/
 

UK-CHI-2500402 | May 2025