The NHS is the world’s first health service to commit to reaching net zero carbon with a vision to respond to climate change and improve health now and for future generations.
The Evergreen Assessment is one of several NHS initiatives designed to support its net zero and wider sustainability objectives. It is aimed specifically at its target to reach net zero by 2045 for the emissions it does not have direct control over but that it can influence.
The assessment is a reporting tool enabling suppliers, like Sodexo, to engage with the NHS on their sustainability journey and understand how to align with the NHS net zero and sustainability ambitions, including those set out in the NHS net zero supplier roadmap.
The data and information provided by Sodexo will be used to support the NHS in understanding its supply chain carbon footprint, measure progress against its targets and tailor engagement to support suppliers.
Philip Leigh, chief executive for health & care at Sodexo, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the NHS in its vision to deliver the world’s first net zero health service.
“We are very clear about the need for collaboration in our sustainability strategies, this assessment is a positive step on our journey, we know there is still much work to do which is why it is imperative that we continue to partner with our NHS clients, their teams and patients to make a collective effort to reduce carbon emissions and have a positive impact.”
In 2023, Sodexo health & care reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 37% compared to Sodexo's 2017 baseline, over 68,000 tCO2e, the equivalent of flying around the world over 5,800 times. The assessment is valid for 12 months, after which Sodexo health & care will again use the tool to assess its status.