The NHS, as the largest single healthcare provider in the UK, generates over 25 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. As the NHS works toward its net-zero target by 2045, businesses supplying the healthcare sector must integrate business sustainability strategies that go beyond compliance and actively contribute to reducing environmental impact. To support this transition, NHS England developed the Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment, an online self-assessment tool designed to help suppliers align with the NHS’s net-zero and sustainability goals. Keep reading as we dive deeper into this tool and the benefits of participating in this assessment.
What is the Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment?
The Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment is an online self-assessment tool developed by NHS England to engage suppliers in aligning with the NHS’s net-zero and sustainability goals. It enables suppliers to share their sustainability practices, receive a maturity score, and identify areas for improvement. While not currently a mandatory component of procurement evaluations, completion of the assessment is required for suppliers on NHS Supply Chain Frameworks and for those bidding on future frameworks.
The assessment offers benefits such as benchmarking against NHS sustainability priorities, providing a standardised method for communicating sustainability efforts, and supporting internal planning for sustainable investments. For NHS organisations, it enhances understanding of supply chain sustainability, centralises supplier information, and informs contract management discussions. After registration, suppliers can access and complete the assessment through the Atamis procurement system.
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Purpose and objectives of the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment
The NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment is an online self-assessment tool designed by NHS England to help suppliers align with the NHS’s sustainability and net-zero commitments. It serves as a voluntary tool for suppliers to evaluate, improve, and showcase their sustainability performance in relation to NHS priorities.
Purpose:
- Encourage sustainability alignment between NHS suppliers and the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap.
- Provide a standardised approach for suppliers to report their sustainability initiatives.
- Help suppliers identify areas for improvement in sustainability and carbon reduction efforts.
- Support NHS procurement teams in understanding supply chain sustainability performance.
Key objectives:
- Benchmark sustainability practices: Allow suppliers to assess their sustainability maturity and compare against NHS sustainability expectations.
- Enhance supply chain transparency: Enable NHS organisations to access centralised supplier sustainability data for better procurement decisions.
- Facilitate continuous improvement: Provide suppliers with insights and recommendations to enhance their ESG performance.
- Support sustainable procurement decisions: Help NHS buyers identify and engage with suppliers that are committed to reducing their environmental impact.
- Encourage net zero readiness: Assist suppliers in developing carbon reduction plans and integrating sustainability into their business strategies.
How does the NHS Sustainable Supplier Assessment work?
The NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment provides a structured framework for suppliers to share their environmental and social responsibility efforts while identifying areas for improvement.
1. Supplier registration and access
To begin, suppliers must register on the Atamis procurement system, the NHS’s platform for supplier engagement and contract management. Once registered, they gain access to the online assessment, where they can start evaluating their sustainability efforts.
2. Completing the self-assessment
The assessment consists of structured questions covering key areas such as carbon footprint and net-zero commitments, sustainable procurement and supply chain practices, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and social value contributions. Suppliers provide detailed responses about their current sustainability initiatives and commitments. Upon completion, they receive a maturity score, which indicates their level of sustainability alignment with NHS priorities.
3. Scoring and benchmarking
Once the assessment is submitted, suppliers receive a maturity score that reflects their sustainability progress. This score allows them to benchmark their performance against NHS sustainability priorities and other suppliers. The scoring system helps businesses identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, ensuring they align with NHS expectations for responsible supply chain management.
4. Ongoing development and improvement
The assessment is designed to be an ongoing tool for continuous improvement. Suppliers are encouraged to update their responses regularly as they enhance their sustainability practices. The tool also provides guidance and insights to help businesses strengthen their approach to environmental and social responsibility over time.
5. NHS use of the assessment data
NHS procurement teams review supplier sustainability data collected from the assessment to make informed procurement decisions. The assessment supports the NHS’s broader net-zero strategy by ensuring that suppliers align with its sustainability roadmap. By using this data, the NHS can prioritise working with environmentally and socially responsible suppliers.
Conclusion
The Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment is set to become an increasingly valuable tool for both suppliers and the NHS. While currently voluntary, its integration into procurement frameworks signals a shift toward more rigorous sustainability requirements. Businesses that proactively engage with the assessment will be better positioned to future-proof their operations, demonstrate environmental and social responsibility, and strengthen their relationship with the NHS.
Beyond supplier assessments, transparent sustainability reporting is becoming a non-negotiable standard across industries. Regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and ESG disclosure requirements are reshaping the way businesses communicate their sustainability impact. To ensure your organisation is prepared, our CSRD and ESG Reporting & Auditing courses provide the essential knowledge and tools needed to navigate evolving sustainability regulations, produce accurate disclosures, and drive meaningful change.
