NHS Wales decarbonisation strategic delivery plan 2025 to 2030 - Part 9: Procurement and supply chain
Our plan to reduce the environmental impact of NHS Wales and support the Welsh Government’s Net Zero ambition for the public sector.
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18: Strengthen data management practices across NHS Wales supply chain to enhance visibility into supplier emissions, climate risk exposure, and mitigation strategies
18a: Publish an NHS Wales net zero supplier roadmap that clearly defines existing and anticipated supplier environmental sustainability data and reporting requirements
Proposed owners: NWSSP (NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership).
Implemented by: March 2026.
18b: Develop a targeted training programme in collaboration with Business Wales (including accompanying guidance and tools) to help suppliers – particularly small to medium enterprises – understand and meet the requirements outlined in the supplier roadmap; this will include development of sector‑specific guidance for hotspot sectors
Proposed owners: NWSSP (NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership).
Implemented by: March 2027.
18c: In consultation with the other UK nations, evaluate options for a digital platform to streamline how supplier information is collected and managed
Proposed owners: NWSSP.
Implemented by: March 2027.
19: Create and apply an all‑Wales mechanism to influence and track procurement activities that support low‑carbon and resource efficient delivery
19a: Expand the NHS Wales sustainable procurement code of practice, to set and publish procurement “well‑being objectives”, in line with the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act (SPPP) 2023; specific objectives will address low‑carbon delivery and waste reduction
Proposed owners: NWSSP.
Implemented by: August 2026.
19b: Develop a streamlined and transparent approach in collaboration with key stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of procurement criteria in advancing low-carbon and resource efficient delivery
Proposed owners: NWSSP; all NHS organisations.
Implemented by: December 2026.
19c: In line with implementation of the SPPP, embed environmental sustainability principles and reporting throughout the procurement lifecycle
Proposed owners: NWSSP.
Implemented by: June 2027.
19d: Include an organisational environmental sustainability representative in any procurement exercise exceeding £6 million (including VAT)
Proposed owners: all NHS organisations.
Implemented by: September 2026.
20: Work collaboratively with primary care contractors to decarbonise operational practices, including consideration of the use of contracting mechanisms
20a: Engage with tripartite signatories to explore the proportionate integration of environmental sustainability principles within primary care contracts, ensuring alignment with other key priorities such as access and financial viability
Proposed owners: Welsh Government; DPCC (Directors for Primary and Community Care).
Implemented by: September 2026.
20b: The DPCC group with SPPC (Strategic Programme for Primary Care) will establish a framework for supporting sustainable primary care through health board and cluster planning arrangements, and amplifying materials signposted through the Greener Primary Care Wales scheme to promote consistent messaging, shared priorities, and coordinated action across the system
Proposed owners: DPCC.
Implemented by: September 2026.
21: Transition electricity procurement to align with the principles for quality renewable electricity procurement set out by the UK Green Buildings Council (UKGBC)
Principles for quality renewable electricity procurement.
21a: Complete the UKGBC electricity rating tool annually to monitor progress and identify opportunities; as part of the process, engage with energy suppliers to understand and encourage their alignment with quality renewable electricity procurement principles
Proposed owners: NWSSP.
Implemented by: annual.
21b: Create and maintain a log of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) opportunities; in partnership with the Welsh Government Energy Service (WGES), engage with community groups and other public sector bodies to understand local generation‑supply opportunities
Proposed owners: NWSSP (lead); all NHS organisations; WGES.
Implemented by: September 2026.
22: Optimise stock management and consumption behaviours to improve resource efficiency and reduce material waste
22a: Develop an emissions quantification methodology for surplus stock (including central warehousing and organisational stock) leading to write‑offs and disposal, including non‑catalogue orders, overstocked PPE, and food wastage
Proposed owners: NWSSP (lead) in consultation with NHS organisation.
Implemented by: September 2026.
22b: Report quarterly on surplus stock emissions within existing reporting mechanisms to support and inform initiatives focused on optimising resource consumption
Proposed owners: NWSSP; health boards and Velindre.
Implemented by: Quarterly reports from September 2026.
22c: Integrate environmental impact reporting into stock management and consumption programmes – such as, your medicines your health, scan4safety, gloves off – to support their design, communication and implementation and ensure that environmental outcomes are considered alongside other key priorities
Proposed owners: NWSSP; health boards and trusts; Welsh Government.
Implemented by: Dependent on 22b.
22d: Assign a Your Medicines, Your Health (YMYH) programme leads for primary and secondary care to embed the principles of YMYH in reducing medicines waste and improving adherence, with regular attendance at YMYH programme lead meetings
Proposed owners: YMYH programme leads; health boards and Velindre.
Implemented by: September 2026.
22e: Initiate an 'only order what you need campaign'
Proposed owners: health boards and Velindre (YMYH Programme Leads).
Implemented by: September 2027.