19 February 2020

On Saturday 25 January 2020, NHS Chief Sir Simon Stevens announced that the NHS, along with the help of its staff will step up action to tackle the climate “health emergency” this year. The health and care system in England is responsible for an estimated four to five per cent of the country's carbon footprint. With climate change and air pollution often being caused by the same factors, launching ‘For a greener NHS’ campaign will look to tackle both climate change and air pollution.

CNWL are please to announce that we have been working hard over the years to reduce our carbon footprint with the implementation of a Sustainable Development Management Plan and associated action plan. Smashing the Climate Change 2008 Act target of a 28 per cent reduction by 2020 on a 2013 baseline, we have achieved 40 per cent over the last five years.

Key to the reductions seen, has been the implementation of the Trusts Sustainable Development Management Plan (SDMP) and associated action plan. This provides a clear focus on our key objectives to minimise the impact of our organisation on the environment. Over the last six years we have:

  • upgraded lighting at various sites with more energy efficient LEDs
  • implemented solar panels
  • improved data collection and monitoring of utilities through the implementation of smart meter
  • introduced an estate rationalisation programme.

The latter of which has improved occupational density and utilisation figures, whilst also enabling new ways of working and allowing a rationalisation across our property portfolio. 

As implored by the UN the next ten years will be known as the ‘decade of action against climate change’. Starting the year as we mean to go on we are delighted to inform you that QTS, on behalf of CNWL have signed up to NHS Single-Use Plastics Reduction Campaign Pledge. The focus of this pledge initially being on removing single use plastic from catering i.e single use plastic cups, plates, cutlery, stirrers etc. We will also continue to review opportunities for improving energy efficiency within the estate, improve knowledge and promote sustainable best practice across the Trust as well as work with our partners to help reduce carbon emissions from our supply chain.

If you are interested in sustainability at the Trust and becoming a sustainability champion please get in contact with Ria Larkins – ria.larkins@lowco2.eu