Environmental sustainability in the NHS

Why sustainability matters for the NHS 

Climate change is the biggest risk to health in the 21st century and the NHS is the largest public sector contributor to UK carbon emissions. Climate modelling indicates that rapid decarbonisation is needed this decade to avoid the need for more costly action in future. The NHS has played a leading role internationally in championing the need for more sustainable approaches to health and care, and this work now needs to be accelerated. 

The financial and environmental sustainability challenges facing the NHS are closely connected. Both require achieving the best-possible outcomes from the resources invested, minimising activities that are of limited value to patients and prioritising prevention and early intervention. 

Improving the environmental sustainability of the NHS delivers benefits for patients, staff and taxpayers. Examples in this report illustrate that, by reducing waste and improving the efficiency of care, sustainability initiatives can save money and improve services. Sustainability interventions also strengthen the resilience of the NHS to cope with climate-related threats, such as extreme heat, flooding and supply chain disruption.