Net Zero travel and transport strategy

Climate change threatens the health of the population and the ability of the NHS to deliver its essential services in both the near-term and longer term.1 For this reason, the NHS became the first national health system in the world to commit to decarbonise its operations, setting a clear target for net zero by 2045 for its total carbon footprint, with an 80% reduction by 2036 to 2039.2 This commitment gained legislative footing with the Health and Care Act (2022).3

More frequent and severe floods and heatwaves, and worsening air pollution are among the impacts the UK is already experiencing in our changing climate, with estimated total excess mortality of 2,803 in England during the record-breaking temperatures of summer 2022.4 Conversely, hitting our national net zero target will save over 2 million life years through cleaner air, healthier cities, and a more resilient health service.5

The NHS fleet is the second largest fleet in the country, consisting of over 20,000 vehicles travelling over 460 million miles every year. This fleet, combined with the impact of commissioned services and staff travel, directly contributes to the 36,000 deaths that occur every year from air pollution. This burden is borne disproportionately by those with pre-existing health conditions, older people, and children.6

The NHS recognises its role as an anchor institution and is taking ambitious action to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and air pollution. Indeed, many of the actions to cut carbon emissions also reduce air pollution which leads to direct and quantifiable impacts on health while also addressing health inequality. The benefits to society of implementing the commitments set out in this strategy are valued at over £270 million each year, with over £59 million saved per year by the NHS, able to be re-invested into patient care.

The strategy has been developed through extensive engagement with clinical groups and patients, public health experts, and representatives from across the NHS. There is strong support from the system’s 1.4 million staff, with over 9 out of 10 wanting to see the NHS deliver on its net zero ambitions.7

The NHS will have fully decarbonised its fleet by 2035, with its ambulances following in 2040. Several key steps will mark the transition of NHS travel and transportation:

• By 2026, sustainable travel strategies will be developed and incorporated into trust and integrated care board (ICB) green plans.
• From 2027, all new vehicles owned and leased by the NHS will be zero emission vehicles (excluding ambulances).
• From 2030, all new ambulances will be zero emission vehicles.
• By 2033, staff travel emissions will be reduced by 50% through shifts to more sustainable forms of travel and the electrification of personal vehicles.
• By 2035, all vehicles owned and leased by the NHS will be zero emission vehicles (excluding ambulances) and all non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) will be undertaken in zero emission vehicles.
• In 2040, the full fleet will be decarbonised. All owned, leased, and commissioned vehicles will be zero emission.

This strategy describes the interventions and modelling underpinning these commitments, walking through each of the major components of the NHS fleet and outlining the benefits to patients and staff. A forthcoming net zero travel and transport implementation toolkit and technical support document will also be provided to trusts and systems to aid local and regional delivery.