IHPN and ABI unite to support independent health sector progress in achieving “net zero”

The representative bodies for both independent healthcare providers and private medical insurers have joined forces to help support the sector to better demonstrate the progress being made in achieving net zero carbon emissions.

This autumn the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have launched a new data dashboard which will be used by healthcare providers to showcase their work to achieve net zero. The dashboard will enable them to fulfil their reporting requirements to all private medical insurers as well as NHS England, making it easier for providers to report progress in this area, and avoiding the need for multiple different reporting templates.

As a sector which employs over 160,000 people and delivers care to millions of patients every year, independent healthcare providers are committed to playing their part in tackling the climate change emergency, and in 2021, IHPN launched an industry-wide pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2035 and net zero supply chain by 2045 which over 80% of independent providers have signed up to. 

The ABI have committed to a Climate Change Roadmap, also launched in 2021, which included a set of 2025 milestones towards meeting the Paris climate change goals. One of the focus areas for the ABI has been working with our partners in other sectors and in our supply chains. The ABI will be reporting on the progress against its 2025 milestones and publishing an updated Roadmap next year.  

David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), said:

“With climate change representing the biggest global threat of our times, we are committed to supporting our members in whatever way we can to help the sector reduce their carbon emissions.

“We are therefore pleased to be collaborating with the ABI on this most important of issues – in working to streamline reporting requirements this will help ensure providers are able to get on with the important job of directly reducing their carbon footprint.”

Danielle Henry, Net Zero lead at IHPN, said:

“Working with the ABI on this issue, and seeing both independent providers and insurers get around the table to agree a way forward to how we can most effectively demonstrate the sector’s progress in achieving net zero, has been a real privilege.

“We can only successfully respond to the global climate change threat if everyone plays their part and we hope this dashboard will make a real difference and help the sector in progressing on its net zero journey”.

Ben Howarth, Chief Sustainability Officer at the ABI, said:

“Working collaboratively with the IHPN and its members to design this dashboard shows that there is scope for different sectors to work together to resolve the challenges associated with climate data and Net Zero targets.

“This agreement will ensure that the data provided is consistent and comparable. It will allow us to understand where we have the most potential to reduce emissions and, by making the reporting process easier, allow us to put our energy into taking action together.”