



OPEN Health Validates Net-Zero Targets with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)


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Open Health Partners with the Science Based Targets Initiative to Cement Net‑Zero Commitments
Toronto, Canada – In a bold move that could set a new benchmark for the health‑tech sector, Open Health announced that it has now fully validated its net‑zero targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). The partnership marks the first time a company in the life‑science and digital health space has aligned its carbon‑reduction roadmap with the rigorous, peer‑reviewed standards set by SBTi, underscoring the growing importance of climate accountability in a field traditionally focused on human health rather than planetary health.
What is Open Health?
Open Health is a Toronto‑based health‑tech start‑up that offers a cloud‑based platform for managing patient data, clinical workflows, and research collaborations. The company has been a key enabler for a growing number of research institutions and private‑sector partners seeking secure, interoperable solutions for patient‑centric care. Over the past three years, Open Health has experienced rapid scaling, expanding its user base to more than 50 research groups and over 200 hospitals across North America and Europe.
The company’s leadership has long recognized that the environmental footprint of data centers, pharmaceutical supply chains, and research laboratories is a critical concern. In early 2023, Open Health publicly disclosed a net‑zero target of 2050, mirroring the international Paris Agreement’s 1.5 °C goal. The announcement was made during the Global Health and Climate Forum in Toronto and was accompanied by a detailed emissions inventory that identified Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across the company’s operations and supply chain.
The Role of the Science Based Targets Initiative
The SBTi is a joint initiative of CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature. It provides a framework for companies to set science‑backed emissions reduction targets that align with the 1.5 °C or 2 °C pathways. SBTi certification requires a company to submit a detailed emissions profile, a clear pathway to net zero, and a plan for continuous monitoring and reporting. Once verified, the company’s targets are publicly available on the SBTi website, giving investors, customers, and regulators confidence in the authenticity of its commitments.
Open Health’s partnership with SBTi follows a similar pattern seen in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, where firms such as Novartis, Pfizer, and GSK have already been certified. However, Open Health is the first life‑science platform that is not a traditional pharma or biopharma entity to obtain the certification, signaling a broader shift in the industry toward holistic sustainability.
Key Elements of the Validation Process
Comprehensive Emissions Inventory
Open Health conducted a full Scope 1–3 inventory for the fiscal year 2023. Scope 1 emissions included fuel combustion for on‑site generators and company vehicles, while Scope 2 covered electricity consumption across its data centers and office locations. Scope 3 emissions, which constitute the majority of the company’s carbon footprint, were derived from the energy usage of partner facilities, data transfer costs, and the production of software and hardware components.Carbon‑Neutral Transition Plan
The company outlined a phased approach: a 50 % reduction in Scope 2 emissions by 2026 through a switch to renewable‑energy‑certified data centers, a 30 % reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030 via supplier engagement and greener packaging, and finally, carbon offsets for any residual emissions between 2035 and 2050.Independent Review and Certification
An SBTi‑accredited third‑party auditor reviewed the data, methodology, and mitigation plan. The audit concluded that Open Health’s targets are both science‑based and achievable. The company’s net‑zero pathway has therefore been published on the SBTi website, complete with an interactive dashboard that tracks progress against the 2025 interim targets.Stakeholder Engagement
As part of the certification, Open Health has committed to annual sustainability reporting, updated risk assessments, and a transparent disclosure of any deviations from the target trajectory. The company has also pledged to include climate‑risk metrics in its investor presentations and annual general meetings.
What This Means for the Health‑Tech Ecosystem
Credibility and Market Differentiation
By aligning its climate goals with SBTi, Open Health gains a competitive edge. Hospitals and research institutions are increasingly scrutinizing their technology partners for ESG performance, and a SBTi certification acts as a seal of trust.Supply Chain Influence
Open Health’s supplier engagement strategy forces hardware vendors, cloud providers, and data‑center operators to consider carbon efficiency. This ripple effect could accelerate the decarbonization of the broader IT sector, which is responsible for an estimated 4 % of global GHG emissions.Policy Advocacy
The company’s public commitment positions it as a potential partner for policy initiatives such as Canada’s Net‑Zero Action Plan and the EU’s Digital Health Act. Open Health’s expertise in data interoperability and secure patient‑centric platforms could help regulators build climate‑friendly health infrastructure.
Voices from the Front Lines
“SBTi certification is more than a label; it’s a roadmap,” says Dr. Maria Torres, Chief Sustainability Officer at Open Health. “By setting quantified, science‑based targets, we’re not only reducing our own emissions but also sending a powerful signal to our partners and patients that climate health is part of our core mission.”
SBTi’s Executive Director, Sarah Thompson, applauded the initiative: “Open Health’s approach demonstrates that technology solutions for health can—and should—be built on a foundation of sustainability. Their certification will inspire others in the life‑science sector to follow suit.”
The Road Ahead
Open Health plans to publish its first interim climate report in Q3 2024, detailing progress against the 2025 milestone of a 60 % reduction in Scope 2 emissions and a 20 % cut in Scope 3 emissions. The company is also exploring carbon‑negative technologies such as advanced AI‑driven energy management and carbon‑capturing data‑center designs.
Beyond its own operations, Open Health intends to launch a “Green Health Initiative” that offers tools and guidance for research institutions to assess and reduce their own carbon footprints. This will leverage the company’s data‑analysis capabilities to provide actionable insights across the entire health‑tech value chain.
Conclusion
Open Health’s partnership with the Science Based Targets Initiative signals a pivotal shift in how life‑science technology firms perceive and address climate risk. By committing to a rigorously vetted net‑zero pathway, the company not only protects its own environmental footprint but also sets a precedent that could transform the sustainability standards of the entire health‑tech ecosystem. As the world grapples with the twin crises of climate change and evolving disease burdens, Open Health’s bold step demonstrates that safeguarding planetary health and human health can—and must—go hand in hand.
Read the Full Toronto Star Article at:
[ https://www.thestar.com/globenewswire/open-health-validates-net-zero-targets-with-science-based-targets-initiative-sbti/article_f8fb21af-5ddf-5851-9c0f-0634ddc5cc39.html ]