Summary: The CHARME collaborative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. MedTech supply chain by improving manufacturing and transportation practices. It includes 13 major organizations like Advocate Health and Becton Dickinson. The initiative follows a detailed roadmap developed by leaders like Kaiser Permanente to promote sustainability in healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

  • Industry Collaboration: CHARME unites 13 leading health and MedTech organizations to combat climate change.
  • Comprehensive Participant Base: Involves diverse stakeholders, including health systems, suppliers, and distributors, indicating wide industry support.
  • Action-Oriented Approach: Utilizes a 24-month actionable roadmap aimed at key decarbonization areas such as product innovation and logistics.

The Collective Healthcare Action to Reduce MedTech Emissions (CHARME) collaborative has been launched, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. medical device and equipment supply chain.

CHARME’s Strategic Focus

CHARME is designed to bridge the gap in existing decarbonization efforts by enhancing emission reductions through improved manufacturing and transportation methods within the MedTech supply chain. This includes companies involved in medical devices, equipment, services, and distribution.

Key Participants

Thirteen major organizations have agreed to join CHARME, signaling a robust industry commitment. These include well-known entities such as Advocate Health, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Cardinal Health, Cencora, Health Care Without Harm, Northwell Health, and Stryker, among others.

Significant Impact on Emissions

The MedTech supply chain is responsible for 7% of all U.S. healthcare-related greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is spearheaded by the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente and Vizient.

CHARME Implementation and Goals

The CHARME initiative will utilize the strategies outlined in the 2023 white paper titled “Catalyzing Collective Action to Decarbonize Healthcare Roadmap for Health Systems and MedTech Suppliers.” This document, a collaborative effort from Kaiser Permanente, Health Care Without Harm, and Accenture, received contributions from over 30 organizations and includes a 24-month roadmap for emission reduction.

Roadmap and Decarbonization Levers

The roadmap advocates for collaborative efforts focusing on four primary areas: renewable energy, product innovation, utilization, and transportation logistics. By following these guidelines, CHARME participants aim to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions across the healthcare sector.