Sustainable suppliers

Our climate emergency strategy outlines how we will:

• Consume less
• Embed carbon reduction into our procurement processes
• Establish positive relationships with key suppliers
• Engage in research and innovation in order to reduce impact across whole value chain
• Improve confidence in our supply chain carbon data
• Invest more in our local supply chain
• Increase the amount of sustainable, local, healthy food available to staff, patients and visitors

Net zero carbon supplier – 5 step framework

Please progress through the steps below, even if you haven’t completed all five steps, all progress is welcome. You should revisit and update your progress annually.

Step 1: Share views

• Complete our supplier survey, which asks for your opinions on our aspirations for a net zero supply chain by 2040 and your suggestions for support. Please only complete the survey once, unless your answers have changed.
• Opt-in to our dedicated mailing list. All suppliers are invited to sign up for regular updates about sustainable supply chains. Just send a message (including the words ‘opt-in’ in your subject header) to [email protected]
• Schedule a 1:1 conversation with someone from our procurement team. If you have a relevant low carbon product or service, please arrange a chat – we are keen to hear about innovative solutions to the climate and environmental challenges we face.  In the first instance, please email [email protected], using subject header ‘Meet the buyer request’.

You can see examples of previous comments from suppliers in the feedback section below.

Step 2: Support, network and collaborate

We recommend a range of optional support including:

• Attend our annual sustainable supplier event. On 18 July 2024, our most recent event took place at Northumbria University, for current and prospective suppliers. For those who couldn’t attend in person, content and presentations are available at the link on the right.
• Join our dedicated LinkedIn group for suppliers, which provides a forum for suppliers to connect and collaborate in joint efforts to reach net zero carbon by 2040, for example through sharing challenges, learning and access to sustainable solutions, products and services. All current and prospective suppliers to Newcastle Hospitals are invite to join and can click this link to become a member Newcastle Hospitals low carbon supplier hub
• Case studies – see below for more information. You can also submit your own case study.
• Accessing additional resources – see the righthand menu bar for more information including FAQs and a supplier information pack.
• Sign up for free webinars on carbon reporting – if you wish to attend or register your interest for future events, please email: [email protected]
• Attend relevant training – The following IEMA-approved training, via Northumbria University, offers a practical overview of carbon footprint and reporting, aligned to the greenhouse gas protocol – Carbon footprinting (GHG accounting), net zero targets and carbon reduction planning for organisations.

Step 3: Annually report carbon performance

The following steps are designed to meet the requirements of public sector procurement (such as PPN 06/20 and PPN 60/21) and also align to questions from the national greener NHS team, via Evergreen.

We require suppliers to report their performance annually to us. We need your carbon footprint data to feed into our footprint plus performance figures. There are three options available, depending on the level of support you require in calculating your carbon footprint.

All suppliers, regardless of size or sector, are required to report and we can only accept data submitted via one of the following three options, as results are automatically fed back to our supplier dashboard. There is an option for everyone, from the smallest to the largest.

Please use the registration link to enrol your organisation. Use your work email account and enter the following code to link your results to our account NUTHSUPP10

Step 4: Publish Net Zero target (minimum 2040)

We require suppliers to commit to and publish net zero targets aligned with Newcastle Hospitals’ 2040 ambition. You will be prompted for this target as part of the platform reporting process, outlined in step 3. 

Please note that from 2030 onwards, the NHS will not procure from any supplier that has not published a net zero target.

Step 5: Publish a carbon reduction plan (CRP)

We require suppliers to publish a carbon reduction plan. As a minimum we recommend your carbon reduction plan to meet  the minimum requirements of PPN 60/21 as covered in this government template. You will be prompted for this CRP as part of the platform reporting process, outlined in step 3. 

Contact details

If you have any queries on the 5-step process, please email: [email protected] 

If you have any queries on the SmartCarbon reporting portal, please visit their website or email smart carbon calculator

Feedback from our suppliers

More than 830 suppliers have engaged with encouraging feedback including: Johnson and Johnson, Drager, SharpSmart, Vanguard, NHS BT, NE1 logistics and Potts Print (UK).

As part of the project we invite suppliers to share their experiences on their net zero journeys by sending us a case study:

Supplier case study template (33.71kB)

Supplier case studies

• Potts Print
• SEE Sustainability
• Numatic
• NHS Blood and Transplant
• Kinseed Ltd
• Data Southern Enterprises Ltd
• Stone Technologies Ltd

What do our suppliers think?

Step 1 feedback

“We are keen to commit to our Net Zero journey but would welcome further guidance on how to achieve our goals.

“I am fully supportive of the NHS net zero targets. However, as an SME I would welcome information and support regarding how we can reach net zero by 2030.

“As a small business, we would welcome advice and support.

Step 2 feedback

“Really enjoyed the webinar and net zero carbon will positively impact on my sector so that is encouraging from a business point of view but going forward this is mega important for the next generation!

“Thank you for taking a positive stance on this issue.

“As any sensible occupant of this planet is doing, we are committed to doing all we can to reduce our impact on it.

Step 3 feedback

“The process of reporting our footprint data via SmartCarbon was straight forward and the steps were simple to follow. As we have already mapped our footprint data, we just referenced this when uploading it to the Smart Carbon platform. The platform was easy to use and navigate and was a quick process to complete.

Beck Owen, Deputy Director, Corporate Services Division, Potts Print (UK)

“SmartCarbon Ltd took NHS BT through a comprehensive data collection, calculation and reporting process that was both aligned to the wider NHS Net Zero Plan and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.  This involved utilising the SmartCarbon Calculator platform to produce the desired reports in a format that enabled the Organisation to effectively communicate carbon performance in a way that is accessible to all stakeholders, from Donor to Patient, as we continue to improve and save lives in a Sustainable way.”

Colin Waller,  Environmental Advisor, NHS Blood and Transplant

“The support provided to SharpSmart UK by the team at SmartCarbon has been exceptional! They are very knowledgeable, responsive and have been supportive in guiding us to simplify the process.  The SmartCarbon Calculator is a really easy and useful tool to support our carbon reporting requirements, and is adaptable to organisational and project structures.   The supporting training and consultancy packages have helped to progress our commitment to reducing our impact and we are looking forward to a continued working relationship as our strategy evolves to match our ambition to do our bit to tackle the Climate Emergency.”

Amy Beamish, Continuous Improvement Manager | Sharpsmart UK