Sustainability in NHS organisations

What should NHS organisations be doing about sustainability?

Every NHS trust and Integrated Care System should have a Green Plan which sets out their aims, objectives, and delivery plans for carbon reduction.

In each case, this should be signed off by the Trust Board, with a board-level ‘net zero lead’ responsible for overseeing its delivery.

Given the pivotal role that integrated care systems (ICSs) play, each system will also need to develop its own Green Plan, based on the strategies of its member organisations.

NHS England's Green plan guidance explains how NHS organisations should construct their Green Plans, the areas and initiatives that the plans should cover, and signposts to supporting resources.

Green Plans should cover the following areas:

1. Estates and facilities.
2. Travel and transport.
3. Supply chain and procurement.
4. Medicines.
5. Workforce and system leadership.
6. Sustainable models of care.
7. Food and nutrition.
8. Digital transformation.
9. Adaptation.