DHI commits to supporting Scotland’s Net-Zero Carbon Emission Targets

The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), one of Scotland’s seven pioneering innovation centres, today announced that it is fully committed to supporting the Scottish Government’s ambitions to Net-Zero Carbon Emission Targets by 2045.

Going forward, all new digital health and social care projects will include an impact statement on how the digital solution will positively contribute to the Scottish Government’s Net-Zero Carbon Emission Targets by 2045.

New thinking is required to challenge long-established patterns and procedures in healthcare, many of which are now outdated, inefficient and hindering common efforts to combat the climate emergency.

The NHS is not currently shaped in a way that puts the environment at its heart. It was built and designed for the way we used to live our lives 50 or even 100 years ago and does not cater well for or citizens different living and working arrangements. People often must travel more frequently and further for routine face-to-face appointments, which involve taking time off their education or their work. The environmental impact of this outdated arrangement is clear. That journey, for a face-to-face appointment which may not even be necessary, is likely to emit CO2, particularly if it is made by car. It is also hugely unproductive in time terms.

The DHI is driven by the need to address societal challenges across Scotland, examining how to use digital tools and services to deliver safe, effective and sustainable healthcare services that are fit for the future.

The aim is to ensure that all future projects clearly identify the potential positive impacts that a digital solution would deliver against the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Actions of:

1. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a Just Transition to a net-zero economy and society
2. Driving Scotland's adaptation to climate change
3. Supporting decarbonisation in the public sector
4. Engaging with business and industry on decarbonisation
5. Encouraging individuals to move towards low carbon living
6. Leading international action on climate change
7. Supporting communities to tackle climate change through the Climate Challenge Fund
8. Supporting developing countries to tackle climate change through the Climate Justice Fund
9. Preparing to participate in a UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) after leaving the EU ETS at the end of the EU Exit Transition Period

Professor George Crooks OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, said:

“The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre is fully committed to supporting the Scottish Government’s ambitions to Net-Zero Carbon Emission Targets by 2045.

To ensure that we and our partners maintain a focus on this important initiative, all new digital health and social care projects, that we look to undertake, will include an impact statement on how the digital solution will positively contribute towards the Scottish Government’s Net-Zero Carbon Emission Targets by 2045”.

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