Decarbonising the NHS

This annual event now in it’s 2nd year brings together 250+ Heads, Directors and Senior Managers of Sustainability, Facilities, Estates and Climate Change Policy from NHS trusts, Integrated Care Board’s, and primary care to discuss the progress has been made in strengthening healthcare resilience to the growing impacts of climate change

The NHS remains on track to achieve its interim target of an 80% reduction in direct emissions by 2032. There is much more work to do, but recent investments in solar power, battery storage, energy efficiency and charging infrastructure will further reduce emissions while delivering substantial financial savings.

During the last 5 years, the NHS has not only seen emissions in the Carbon Footprint fall, but it has witnessed a profound energy, passion and pride from those NHS staff wanting to make a difference to this commitment.

NHS England’s Delivering a Net Zero NHS Strategy is still considered to be the right approach to decarbonisation of the NHS. Over the next 5 years, the NHS will maintain its commitment and accelerate the momentum created.

The NHS cannot achieve net zero in isolation – Decarbonisation of the electricity grid, acceleration of low-carbon heating options, wider electric vehicle infrastructure and more sustainable production of medicines are all essential.