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Implementing sustainability for the healthcare sector
The delivery of healthcare services directly and indirectly contributes to greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions through energy consumption as well as value chain activities from product manufacturing, to transportation and distribution, water usage and end-of-life disposal of healthcare waste. Carbon emissions will follow rising healthcare spend unless we actively intervene.
The three key takeaways from 2021 World Health Organisation’s (WHO) health and climate change global survey report found that:
- There is strong nexus between climate change and health;
- COVID-19 pandemic distracted resources from addressing climate change; and
- Implementation of climate change plans are impeded by insufficient funding and other resources.
With the COVID-19 pandemic under control and relaxation of border restrictions, it is timely for the healthcare sector to urgently consider addressing climate change as part of its overall roadmap.
Bold commitments by industry leaders suggest that the healthcare sector could move ahead of other sectors to meet the 1.5°C global goal set out in the Paris Agreement, ahead of its mid-century target.
UOB has a suite of sustainable frameworks and solutions designed to support companies in the healthcare sector on their sustainability journey. This suite of solutions aims to address the industry’s lack of access to financing to support their climate change plans.
UOB’s sustainable framework & solutions can be executed using the following types of sustainability instruments:
- Green bilateral loans/ bonds/ trade products
- Green syndicated or club loans
- Green sustainability-linked loans/ bonds/ trade products
With access to sustainable financing, it is important for healthcare players to start taking action now.
