Strategic Focus: ESG And Sustainability Digital Strategies For Healthcare

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Executive Summary

Healthcare organizations – comprising healthcare and hospital services, medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical firms – are under increasing pressure to integrate sustainability into their operations, while maintaining high standards around safety and patient care. From minimizing energy use in hospital systems to addressing the affordability of pharmaceutical products and medical devices, the healthcare sector faces unique challenges that demand innovative solutions. This report highlights strategies healthcare leaders can adopt to align their practices with global sustainability goals. 

Table of contents

Summary for decision-makers
Sustainable practices in healthcare protect people and the planet

Sustainability priorities in the healthcare industry
The healthcare sector faces numerous pressures and challenges – which were exacerbated by COVID-19
Healthcare firms must adopt processes and strategies to advance sustainability initiatives
Digital solutions can help healthcare firms embed sustainability into their business practices

Table of figures

Figure 1. Verdantix segmentation of the healthcare sector
Figure 2a. Healthcare and hospital services industry outlook
Figure 2b. Medical devices industry outlook
Figure 2c. Pharmaceutical products industry outlook
Figure 3. Representative material sustainability issues for the healthcare sub-sectors
Figure 4. Examples of sustainability initiatives in the healthcare industry
Figure 5. Internal building blocks for healthcare firms to advance their sustainability programmes  
Figure 6. Examples of industry groups helping firms with sustainability initiatives  
Figure 7. Examples of private-sector collaboration to improve sustainability performance
Figure 8. Six benefits of using digital solutions to support sustainability in the healthcare industry

Organisations mentioned

AbbVie, AdvaMed, Aravo, Assent, Assist International, Association of the European Self-Medication Industry (AESGP), AstraZeneca, Baxter International, Bayer, Becton Dickinson and Company (BD), Benchmark Gensuite, Bio Farma, BioNTech, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston Scientific Corporation, Bristol Myers Squibb , Champalimaud Foundation, CommonSpirit Health, Compliance & Risks, CVS, Cytiva, Deloitte, DHL, Diversio, EcoVadis, Eli Lilly, Energize, Ethixbase360, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), EVA Pharma, GE Healthcare, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), GSK, HCA Healthcare, Health Care at Home, Healthcare Anchor Network, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Hospital Federation (IHF), International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), Johnson & Johnson, Joint Commission International, Lilly, Mayo Clinic, Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, Medicines For Europe, Medtronic, Meiji, Merck KGaA, Moderna, Mölnlycke, NASDAQ, Nateria, National Health Service (NHS), NAVEX, Nortis, Novartis, Novisto, Novo Nordisk, Oritain, Persefoni, Pfizer, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI), Philips, Purdue Pharma, Ramsay Health Care, Roche, Samsung Biologics, Sanofi, Schneider Electric, Serum Institute of India (SII), ServiceNow, Siemens Healthineers, Stryker, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Sustainable Healthcare Coalition, Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Teva, Thermo Fisher Scientific, UN, UN Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), UNICEF, US Anesthesia Partners, VelocityEHS, Walmart, Workday, Workiva, World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), World Economic Forum, World Health Organization (WHO)

About the authors

Jessica Pransky

Principal Analyst
Jessica is a Principal Analyst in the Verdantix ESG & Sustainability practice, which she joined in 2022. Her current research agenda covers ESG reporting and data management software, ESG solutions for investors, and risk in ESG and sustainability. Prior to joining Verdantix, Jessica worked at Ramboll, focusing on ESG risk and opportunity identification for mergers and acquisitions, as well as EHS due diligence. Jessica has previously held roles evaluating water resource allocation for a state municipality and ensuring EHS compliance for GE Aviation. She holds a BS from Tufts University and an MEng from Johns Hopkins University focused on environmental engineering, as well as an MBA from Boston University.

Elisa Molero

Industry Analyst
Elisa Molero is an Industry Analyst in the Verdantix ESG & Sustainability practice. Her current research agenda focuses on emerging solutions and global market trends around supply chain sustainability. Her background is in Economics, Leadership and Governance (BSc, University of Navarra). Prior to joining Verdantix, Elisa worked as a research analyst at the Centre For Economic Performance at the London School of Economics, where she completed a Master’s degree in Global Politics, with Distinction.

Kim Knickle

Research Director, ESG & Sustainability
Kimberly Knickle is Research Director of the ESG & Sustainability practice at Verdantix. Her research areas encompass ESG regulations and reporting, ESG risk, supply chain sustainability, circular economy, social impact, and sustainable finance. Kim has worked for more than 20 years in the IT industry, providing research and analysis to help companies invest wisely in new technologies. Before joining the analyst industry, she held various roles in IT services, engineering and product safety testing, beginning her career at Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Kim holds an MBA from Boston University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell.

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