The 2018/2019 financial year saw a 25 per cent reduction in our Trust’s measured carbon emissions, compared to the 2012/2013 financial year. (We are using the 2018/19 figure because the pandemic is not reflective of our normal emissions and therefore skews the figures.)

Thanks to a range of initiatives including optimisation of the combined heat and power plant and LED lighting upgrades, we’ve saved enough carbon to heat 2,500 homes for a year.

The action comes following growing evidence of the health impacts of climate change and air pollution and alongside the backing of nine in ten people in England who support the NHS taking action to reduce its carbon footprint.

We have put in place several initiatives to reduce our emissions, including:

• Optimising the Queen’s Hospital combined heat and power plant - technology that allows heat, which would normally be lost when power is generated, to be recovered to supplement the heating system.
• LED lighting upgrades, which are set to continue at King George Hospital this year and in 2022.
• Optimising our hospitals’ electrical and mechanical equipment to run more efficiently.

Crucially, many of these initiatives are improving care today, for example by reducing costs – money which is better spent on caring for patients.

Andrew Jackson, Sustainability and Carbon Manager, said: “We’re committed to playing our part in reaching the NHS’ target to become the first health care service in the world to reach net zero carbon emissions.”

“As well as making our estate more energy efficient, our staff are individually contributing too. For example, many took up cycling to work, following the launch of a new staff bike hire scheme in 2020 with Brompton Bikes, offering a convenient, healthier and greener way of commuting.”

“In January, we will launch our ‘Green Plan’; this will set out our next steps towards achieving net zero.”

Nationally, the NHS is on track to reduce its carbon emissions this financial year, equivalent to powering 1.1 million homes with electricity for a year, while it is calling on its 80,000 suppliers to commit to reducing their carbon footprint.