The Lancet MedZero, a new global database tracking the carbon footprint of healthcare products, launched with over 14,000 entries. Developed by an international academic group led by the National University of Singapore and supported by the University of Birmingham, the platform aims to help hospitals and clinics reduce emissions, cut waste, and improve care. It covers everything from pharmaceuticals to diagnostic tests, offering data for decisions at every level of the health system.
Healthcare is the fifth largest emitter of carbon globally, surpassing both aviation and shipping combined. Until now, carbon data has been available for less than 1% of the items used daily in clinical settings. The platform fills this gap by providing detailed analytics on the environmental impact of medical products and services.
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The University of Birmingham played a key role in designing the database. Researchers there developed methods to ensure the accuracy and transparency of carbon estimates. Every figure in the platform is traceable, labeled for quality, and tied to specific decisions it can support. Professor Slava Jankin, who led this work, emphasized that robust evidence is essential for turning climate goals into action.
The NHS has pledged to reach net zero by 2040 for direct emissions and 2045 for its supply chain. Achieving this requires precise, product-level carbon data at a scale never before available. The institution is now leading a Horizon Europe initiative to expand the platform’s reach, including testing it across NHS England and integrating resilience assessments.
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Launched at the 79th World Health Assembly, MedZero brought together leaders from the NHS, the Philippines, Thailand, and Doctors Without Borders. Dr. Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the outlet, called the platform a “shared global infrastructure” to hold health systems accountable for their climate impact. He stressed that credible data is the foundation of meaningful action.
Radiology has been overlooked in sustainability efforts. Diagnostic imaging contributes significantly to healthcare’s carbon footprint. Experts like Dr. Sarah Sheard from Imperial College Healthcare have highlighted ways to reduce emissions in this field, from optimizing equipment use to adopting greener imaging technologies.
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The platform draws on expertise from institutions across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, including Thailand’s HITAP and Japan’s NIES. This collaboration reflects a shared goal of advancing sustainable healthcare globally. The outlet, which has long focused on climate and health, sees MedZero as a tool to support its ongoing work through initiatives like the Lancet Countdown.
For hospitals and health systems, MedZero offers a way to translate climate commitments into action. Whether a surgeon redesigns a care pathway or a procurement team renegotiates contracts, the database provides the data needed to make informed, evidence-based choices. The challenge now is ensuring this information is used widely and effectively to drive real change.