OSA urges optical businesses to become sustainable

Net zero supplier roadmap laid out with OSA

The OSA is urging all optical businesses to start on the Government Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) now, with the message – Get Ahead, Be Early.

The OSA/NHS Net Zero supplier roadmap webinar last week united all aspects of UK optics keen to learn more about meeting required targets, with Ben Calder-Travis, NHS Net Zero and Sustainability Project Manager, emphasising that a climate emergency is a health emergency. He stressed that the NHS has a wide approach to delivering Net Zero and social value, plus driving innovation.

All optical businesses supplying the NHS need 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.

The NHS has laid out Scope 1,2,3 for reaching Net Zero by 2045, with the aim of 80% 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.

The NHS is keen to boost awareness and provide support for businesses in this CRP journey, with Ben explaining that the requirements and supporting webinars are 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.

• *Get started on your carbon reduction plan
• *Sign up to supplier CRP support webinars and join the conversation
• *Register to stay with Evergreen launch

  To receive the NHS/OSA webinar, and all links, contact Marianne MacRitchie: mmacritchie@osa-uk.co.uk