ABSTRACT
The health sector supply chain represents the largest proportion of a health system’s greenhouse gas emissions. In India, scope 3 emissions represent 81% of the total health sector emissions of which the majority comes from the supply chain and is generated domestically. India serves as a critical component of the global supply chain as the largest supplier of goods provided to the UN. It is therefore important to measure, monitor and act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from throughout the health supply chain. In sustainable procurement, organisations meet their needs for goods and services while generating benefits for the organisation, society and the economy while minimising damage to health and the environment. This chapter will review the greenhouse gas emissions of the health supply chain and provide an overview of the guiding principles for fostering environmental sustainability by promoting sustainable procurement in the healthcare sector. Health systems that aspire to carbon neutrality must analyse their supply chain, identify carbon hotspots and engage with suppliers to establish targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the system from manufacturing to distribution to end of use/reuse in order to achieve the goal of climate-smart, resilient health systems.
