Green is core, not peripheral
Over recent years, the way grant funders evaluate healthtech and medtech proposals has shifted dramatically. Environmental impact is no longer optional; it is central. Funding bodies including SBRI, UKRI and NIHR explicitly score applications on sustainability, requiring innovators to explain how their solutions support the NHS’s net zero ambitions.
Why the shift matters
The NHS has a legal duty to reach net zero by 2045. Achieving this requires assessing emissions associated with every tool and technology it adopts. Funders are aligning with this mandate: they want to back innovations that not only meet clinical needs but actively reduce the NHS’s carbon footprint. For innovators, this change introduces both challenge and opportunity. If your goal is to grow your company, secure funding and achieve NHS adoption, environmental sustainability can no longer be an afterthought.
Three lessons from the field
1. Start simple, start smart
You do not need sophisticated carbon calculators from the outset. Funders are looking for evidence that you understand where your environmental impact lies and how you intend to reduce it. Travel, materials, waste and energy use are excellent starting points, and for digital innovators, exploring data storage, cloud services and device usage ensures environmental sustainability is embedded in virtual solutions.
2. Sustainability is not separate
Environmental impact has become as critical to innovation adoptionas cost, safety and effectiveness. It is no longer a peripheral consideration but a core criterion that funders, regulators and customers expect to see embedded in every proposal. Sustainability should be woven directly into both the value proposition and business case, demonstrating not only compliance but competitive advantage.
3. Expert eyes equal stronger bids
Environmental consultants exist to help innovators accurately measure and manage the impact of their products. Their expertise can provide robust data, credible methodologies and independent validation, all of which strengthen the integrity of your bid. Allocating a portion of funding for professional analysis not only demonstrates seriousness and accountability but reassures funders that your claims regarding environmental sustainability are evidence‑based and aligned with best practice.
From pressure to possibility
The landscape may be evolving rapidly, but the principle remains the same: environmental sustainability is not a box to tick; it is a lens through which better, more resilient and future-ready innovations are designed. By embedding environmental thinking early, innovators are not just meeting funding criteria, they are increasing the prospects of adoption and helping shape an NHS that is healthier for people and planet alike.
How we can help
Applying for funding can be complex and competitive, but we’re here to help. Our team of experts provides tailored advice and practical support to strengthen your application, including:
- Strategic guidance – Ensuring your project aligns with funding priorities and clearly demonstrates impact.
- Health economic analysis – Showcasing the clinical and financial value of your innovation.
- Stakeholder engagement – Connecting you with key partners and running workshops to refine your approach.
- Data analysis – Strengthening your case with robust evidence.
- Feasibility studies – Assessing your project’s viability and market potential.
Find the latest funding opportunities here.
The net zero guide for innovators
To help teams navigate the growing environmental sustainability requirements, we developed the net zero guide for innovators. Designed specifically for healthtech and medtech organisations seeking to work with the NHS, the guide translates policy into practice. It clarifies the NHS’s expectations around net zero, explains how these shape the procurement landscape and offers a practical guide for embedding sustainability.
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