NHS Carbon Footprint Plus

How is the NHS planning to better its target for achieving net zero carbon emissions?

This is an ambition to reach an 80% reduction by 2036 to 2039.Led by Chris Gormley, acting Chief Sustainability Officer, the Greener NHS National Programme exists to drive this transformation while delivering against our broader environmental health priorities.

Laid out in the NHS Long Term Plan, these extended sustainability commitments range from reducing single-use plastics and water consumption, through to improving air quality.

On 1 July 2022, the NHS became the first health system to embed net zero into legislation, through the Health and Care Act 2022. This places duties on NHS England, and all trusts, foundation trusts, and integrated care boards to contribute towards statutory emissions and environmental targets.

The Act requires commissioners and providers of NHS services specifically to address the net zero emissions targets. It also covers measures to adapt to any current or predicted impacts of climate change identified within the 2008 Climate Change Act.

Trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) will meet this new duty through the delivery of their Green Plans, with every Trust and ICB in the country now having a board-level lead.

To support them, statutory guidance, including the Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service report and the Net Zero Supplier Roadmap is available to assist with the delivery of these duties.

Thanks to its people, partners, and suppliers, the NHS is already building a greener NHS. One year on from setting out these targets, the NHS has reduced its emissions by the equivalent of powering 1.1 million homes annually.