The Pivot @ Almedalen - Cutting emissions across the healthcare value chain

Decarbonizing healthcare — who truly believes the value chain will reach net zero by 2045?

The room was split: two said no, two said yes, and one said “it depends.”

This question sparked a high-energy panel discussion hosted by The Pivot and Sirona Health Solutions yesterday at Almedalen, bringing together representatives from the healthcare value chain — from Medtech and pharmaceutical suppliers to providers and politicians.

It sparked the conversation on the power of partnership in driving innovation for decarbonization. What stood out most were the takeaways on what it really takes to accelerate sustainable procurement in healthcare:

🔹 Procurement requirements shouldn't just be a set of demands — they should be a challenge to suppliers to excel. When designed well, they steer innovation and communicate the priorities of healthcare systems so that suppliers can deliver more value.

🔹 Dialogue with suppliers is critical. But, at the same time, it's not the way the system works. (But examples the NHS, France, and the Netherlands are showing that it can be done.)

🔹 Suppliers can be co-creators, not just vendors. MedTech and pharma companies often hold solutions that healthcare providers haven’t yet envisioned and they have many years' experience working on driving climate targets. But they need a seat at the table to bring their solutions forward. How about introducing the concept of Innovation Procurement?

🔹 Direction, Dialogue, and Progress. These are the three keys to sustainable procurement:
- Clear direction in setting requirements
- Strong relationships with suppliers to set the level of ambition
- Measurable progress toward climate goals

And finally, a reminder that drew a few smiles:
'A patient who goes home early is a climate-smart patient.'
Health outcomes and climate action have to go hand in hand.

A big thanks from us for a great audience and outstanding panelists for sharing all your great insights:
- Sandra Ivanovic Rubin, Swedish Green Party, representing Region Stockholm,
- Jonas Claesson, Healthcare director, Region Örebro,
- Magdalena Frembäck, Head of sustainability, Praktikertjänst Dina Tandläkare
- Catarina Paulson, Head of sustainability, Getinge
- Fredrik Hellman, Global Director Climate Resilience, AstraZeneca