The Australian government has signed a public statement of collaboration with the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) to decarbonise healthcare supply chains.
 
The health system is currently responsible for around 5 per cent of Australia’s carbon emissions. Many medicines and health technologies used in Australia are imported from overseas. It is estimated that these global supply chains account for around 75 per cent of the Australian health sector’s carbon footprint.

Following the release of the National Health and Climate Strategy at the 28^th United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai in 2023, Australia is signing a public statement of collaboration to align healthcare procurement requirements and accelerate the decarbonisation of global healthcare supply chains.
 
The public statement is an initiative led by the National Health Service in England and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and other countries that have signed include Ireland and Norway.
 
The collaboration will see Australia participate in discussions about green procurement and, in particular, on two main areas: getting suppliers to disclose their carbon emissions and setting targets for reducing emissions.
 
There is strong support from the health workforce for reducing health system emissions, with the Albanese Labor Government working with states and territories to develop or strengthen green healthcare procurement policies.