Canon Medical Systems becomes carbon zero hero

Medical imaging company, Canon Medical Systems, has reached a green milestone, offsetting 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from its ultrasound, X-ray, CT and MRI systems over three and half years in the UK.

The CO2 savings means that the company is able to direct more efforts into its carbon offset scheme, which helps people in Uganda and Kenya receive practical help to improve their health and quality of life.

The scheme has so far helped over 22,000 people, including 12,000 children in rural areas of Uganda and Kenya.

Canon Medical, alongside environmental specialists CO2balance and the United Nations, work together on the scheme to help provide fuel efficient stoves to the rural areas. For every MRI system Canon Medical sells, the scheme provides 35 modern fuel-efficient stoves. The use of these stoves allows families to reduce the amount of smoke particles caused by traditional open stoves and indoor smoke.

Open stoves are a major health issue in developing nations with the World Health Organisation estimating that there are 3.8 million premature deaths every year from diseases such as stroke, ischaemic heart disease, COPD and lung cancer.

The scheme also helps reduce the amount of firewood needed meaning children don’t miss school from having to collect wood and less deforestation helping wildlife habitats and flood prevention.

Through its environmental work, Canon Medical System is now the only UK medical equipment provider to be a carbon neutral business and is working towards becoming a United Nations Sustainability partner.

Mark Hitchman, UK managing director of Canon Medical Systems, said: “We are proud to be a Carbon Zero company helping the environment at the same time as helping people less fortunate than ourselves. We are aware that the NHS is one of the largest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Our R&D commitment starts with developing systems that use less electricity and thus emit less carbon, at the same time as seeing more patients, delivering the highest quality clinical images at the lowest possible dose. This spirit of innovation then extends to sustainability where we embrace a gold-standard scheme that helps some of the poorest rural communities in East Africa.”

Paul Chiplen, director at CO2balance, said: “CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere is a critical problem with 2016 figures showing a record high. If it continues, it will lead to unpredictable changes in the global climate system such as higher temperatures, flooding and other extreme conditions. Canon Medical Systems UK is a carbon zero hero identifying that our fragile environment is at risk and focusing much time and energy into doing something about it.”