Green plan guidance

In 2020, the NHS became the world’s first health system to commit to reaching net zero emissions. The Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service report set out the scale of ambition. The Health and Care Act 2022 reinforced this commitment, placing new duties on integrated care boards (ICBs), NHS trusts and foundation trusts (referred to collectively in this guidance as trusts) to consider statutory emissions and environmental targets in their decisions.

Trusts and ICBs are expected to meet these duties through the delivery of board-approved green plans.

These plans now need to be refreshed in line with this statutory guidance by 31 July 2025.