COP26: What Does This Year’s Pivotal Summit Mean for Industry?
COP26 is without doubt the most significant climate summit since the 2015 Paris Agreement. Stakes couldn’t be higher as countries come together in Glasgow this November. While signatories to the 2015 agreement committed to keep the global average temperature rise to below 2˚C above pre-industrial levels (and pursue efforts to keep it to below 1.5˚C), national plans to achieve this goal were, at the time, insufficient. COP26 sets a deadline for countries to present more ambitious commitments and, as such, will be a pivotal moment for global climate action.
With the UK holding the COP26 Presidency and hosting the event in Glasgow, Boris Johnson is determined to ensure the summit achieves its objectives – increase ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support adaptation and provide investment. Failure to meet these objectives will not only be an embarrassing diplomatic failure on the global stage, turning the tide on climate change and meeting the 2˚C goal will have become dangerously out of reach.
Why should industry care?
CO2 emissions from healthcare provision account for about 5% of national carbon footprints in the world’s largest economies. The UK reflects this picture, which is why NHS England last year adopted a plan to become the world’s first carbon net zero national health system, in its own operations by 2040, but also by driving reductions in emissions across its suppliers and partners. NHS England has also recently appointed a communications lead to focus solely on ‘green issues’ in a sign of its importance at the centre of operations.
Addressing the environmental impact of healthcare is sometimes dismissed as a low priority by some in the industry. Saving patients’ lives and improving outcomes is quite rightly the primary concern. But climate change is a health issue too. According to a recent study in the Lancet, climate change is causing an alarming number of negative health impacts – from respiratory disease due to air pollution to the spread of malaria resulting from deforestation. Injuries due to flooding, cyclones and droughts will also increase as global warming accelerates. If healthcare businesses want to remain true to their purpose, to improve health across the world, they also need to take action on climate change. So it’s great to see the ABHI is developing plans for a dedicated Sustainability Group.
What does the UK presidency want businesses to do?
All businesses operating in the UK will face increased pressure this year to reduce carbon emissions and protect the planet. In the industry, demands are increasing from the government and NHS, as well as from investors and even patients themselves. The government sees businesses as essential drivers and enablers of carbon reduction and wants to get as many as possible involved with COP26 – supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions as well as global campaigns to encourage other countries to adopt ambitious climate action measures.
- The Race to Zero
Above all, the government wants businesses to set science-based carbon reduction targets and aim for net zero before 2050. Businesses can do this through the UNFCCC’s Race to Zero campaign and the government wants all British companies to sign up by joining one of the campaign’s approved science-based carbon reduction initiatives. Indeed, key stakeholders involved in organising the summit have said they will regard any business not signed up to the campaign by 31st October to have chosen not to. So, not engaging in this important initiative runs a risk of reputational damage.
A look through the businesses that have committed to setting science-based targets shows that HealthTech companies are currently not well-represented. While a dozen pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk, have already made the commitment, very few HealthTech companies have done so.
- Clean Transport
Another area where industry can support the UK COP Presidency is making commitments on clean transport. Road transport accounts for over 10% of global emissions, as well as causing high levels of local air pollution. Businesses that own or use large vehicle fleets can contribute by committing to buy or use only zero emission vehicles, and by joining the EV100 initiative. Some companies in the industry have already made this commitment.
- Reducing Waste
Reducing waste is yet a further area where the NHS and HealthTech partners can have a huge impact. Obviously patient safety has to come first. But according to the WHO, only 15% of healthcare waste is considered hazardous material that may be infectious, toxic or radioactive. The remaining waste can be disposed of in the same way as at home, avoiding incineration. We can also address the volume of waste through packaging innovation. The NHS is the largest user of single-use plastics in Europe, disposing of around 133,000 tonnes of plastic each year with only 5% of this recovered. Some of these single-use plastics can be replaced with reusable or biodegradable alternatives or removed altogether. The food industry has faced hygiene and safety challenges in reducing the amount of plastic packaging it uses and yet is making good progress through WRAP’s Plastic Pact. Perhaps the health sector will begin to challenge assumptions and follow suit.
Participating in the Summit
COP26 will be the biggest summit the UK has ever hosted, with thousands of businesses and NGOs seeking to participate. In this context, businesses will need to plan carefully to ensure any activity is strategic and gets cut-through. Last month, the Cabinet Office launched a portal for businesses and civil society to apply to get involved in UK Government managed spaces at the summit in Glasgow 2021. This includes the hosting of events, creative installations and exhibition space – across both the Blue Zone and Green Zone. There are other opportunities to participate too, from fringe events to digital campaigns. Given the impact of climate change on human health and the importance of the summit, HealthTech must ensure it is visible and well-represented.
Feel free to get in touch with me to discuss these issues in more detail: Alice.Wood@lexcomm.co.uk
Alice Wood, Director, Responsible Business, Lexington