Norway strengthens its climate commitments through international cooperation

The initiative is part of a wider measure to create an emission-free healthcare system, where Norway will follow the roadmaps developed by the British NHS and the American HHS, writes Sykehusinnkjøp on its website.

The collaboration was announced by Hospital Purchasing during the Specialist Health Service’s environmental and social responsibility conference, which this year coincided with Earth Day. The initiative builds on Norway’s participation in the health program during the climate conference COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, where around 50 countries committed to similar goals.

Bente Hayes, CEO of Sykehusinnkjøp says in a statement that Norway alone is a small player.

– But by moving in step with others, we can influence the market to a greater extent. We look forward to continuing this important environmental work together with our owners – the four health regions.

Together with Ireland and Australia, Norway is among the first to make additional commitments after the United Kingdom and the United States. The Norwegian health authorities use their market power to pressure suppliers towards more sustainable practices. This includes new requirements for emissions and material use, which is particularly important since most of the emissions in the healthcare system occur in the supply chain.

In addition, the Directorate of Health has drawn up a Norwegian road map towards a sustainable, low-emission health and care service, which is out for consultation until 16 May. The ambition is that by April 2027 all suppliers to the healthcare system must have a publicly available plan for their production and shipping chain that is in line with the British and American targets for zero emissions.