Vygon UK, a leading medical device manufacturer, has partnered with sustainability expert Planet Mark to regain its carbon neutral status. The company is taking important steps towards reducing its environmental impact in line with the NHS’s carbon reduction goals, as well as its own sustainability targets.
The partnership comes after Vygon’s carbon-neutral certification for 2021 and 2022 was affected by the pandemic. Historically, the company has focused its emissions reporting on Scope 1 and 2, which covers direct emissions from operations and energy use. However, with the assistance of Planet Mark, Vygon UK is expanding its carbon reporting to include Scope 3 emissions, which are associated with the broader supply chain. The aim is to re-baseline its sustainability metrics for a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of its environmental footprint.
Katie Kingston, Head of Marketing & Communications at Vygon UK, explained the company’s commitment to sustainability: “We are committed to genuine sustainability reporting and take our responsibility for reducing the environmental impact of our operations very seriously. Working with Planet Mark, we are re-baselining our metrics to reflect a more meaningful and accurate comparison of emissions data over time.”
This re-baselining process is essential for Vygon UK’s compliance with the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, which targets a significant reduction in healthcare-related emissions. The healthcare supply chain, which accounts for over 60% of NHS emissions, plays a crucial role in achieving these goals.
Planet Mark is one of only ten official partners of the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign, which supports businesses in their carbon reduction efforts. The organisation’s methodology is aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the Science Based Targets Corporate Net Zero Standard, ensuring that Vygon UK’s sustainability efforts are in line with global best practices.
Planet Mark CEO Steve Malkin praised Vygon UK’s commitment to the environment: “We are incredibly pleased to be working with Vygon UK, helping them get back on track with measuring and reporting their carbon emissions. They are underway with their first year of carbon footprint measurement, which will lay the foundation for them to take dynamic action to reduce their emissions.”
In recent years, Vygon UK has already implemented a range of sustainability initiatives. These include installing energy-efficient infrastructure, with solar panels providing 35% of daytime energy use, and an environmentally conscious fleet, with 95% of its vehicles being hybrid. In 2023, the company also recycled significant amounts of waste, including 2.68 tonnes of plastic and nearly 10 tonnes of paper and cardboard.
The company is also committed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, working across 17 areas including responsible consumption, sustainable cities, and zero hunger. Vygon UK encourages employees to get involved in local charitable initiatives, and in 2023, it raised £3,888 for various causes.
Through its continued partnership with Planet Mark, Vygon UK is aiming to regain its carbon neutral status within the next three years, while also helping to drive sustainability across the healthcare sector. For more information visit https://vygon.co.uk/