Northern Ireland–headquartered medical device manufacturer’s climate targets are now SBTi-validated, placing the business in the top 1% globally for climate action.
This World Earth Day, Eakin Healthcare has announced that its climate action targets have been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the globally recognised authority that verifies whether corporate climate goals align with the latest climate science and a global standard used by companies worldwide.
With this validation, Eakin Healthcare is now ranked within the top 1% of global medical device manufacturers for climate action and becomes one of only 11 Northern Ireland–headquartered businesses to achieve this independently verified milestone. SBTi validation is widely regarded as an international benchmark for credible corporate climate targets. The achievement reflects strong progress already made by the business, including a two‑thirds reduction in operational emissions.
Padraic Dempsey, Chief Executive Officer of Eakin Healthcare, said:
“Having our targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative is an important milestone for Eakin Healthcare. It means our plan has been independently assessed against the latest climate science and a 1.5°C pathway.
“These targets are ambitious, but they’re measurable. They build on the progress we’ve already made, and they align with our commitment to lead with care. Our focus now is on delivery: cutting emissions across our operations and working with our suppliers and partners to reduce value-chain emissions too.
“Healthcare companies have a responsibility to act on climate change, and we see that responsibility as an opportunity to innovate - improving how we power our sites, heat our buildings and design products with sustainability built in. That mindset has been part of Eakin since our founder began solving real patient needs more than fifty years ago, and it continues to guide how we operate today.”
Eakin Healthcare has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2045 – five years ahead of the UK’s national target. This end-to-end commitment extends beyond the company’s own operations to include suppliers and customers, aiming for meaningful impact at every stage of the value chain rather than focusing solely on emissions within factory gates.
In the near term, Eakin Healthcare has committed to the following science‑based targets by 2031:
Since 2022, Eakin Healthcare has transitioned to sourcing 100% renewable electricity, invested significantly in energy efficiency, installed air‑source heat pumps, and deployed solar panels across all manufacturing sites.
Over the next five years, the business will further accelerate progress by phasing out fossil fuels used for heating and transport through low‑ and zero‑carbon alternatives; reducing waste through circular economy approaches, including reuse, recycling and improved materials management; partnering with suppliers to set, implement and track carbon‑reduction plans across the supply chain; and building sustainability criteria into New Product Development, from design decisions through to materials and packaging.
With its targets now validated, Eakin Healthcare will focus on delivering measurable emissions reductions across its business and supply chain on the path to net zero by 2045.
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