Comment EDITOR’S COMMENTwith LOUISE FRAMPTON THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL Editor


Louise Frampton louiseframpton@stepcomms.com


Technical Editor Kate Woodhead


Journal Administration Katy Cockle katycockle@stepcomms.com


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STEP COMMUNICATIONS ISSN No. 1478-5641


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Progress achieved on sustainability


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) and NHS Trusts to consider statutory emissions and environmental targets in their decisions. NHS England points out that healthcare in England is estimated to contribute between 4% and


5% of national emissions, and around 40% of all emissions generated by the public sector. It adds that since the Delivering a Net Zero NHS strategy was published, the UK has faced two of the warmest years on record. Rapidly rising global temperatures are now 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. These are projected to exceed 1.5°C, the temperature at which scientists warn there will be irreversible environmental damage, undermining long-term resilience. We need to act now and there is no time to lose – the NHS has a responsibility to minimise its


environmental impact. Emissions from inhalers and anaesthetic gases, including nitrous oxide, are responsible for 20% of the NHS Carbon Footprint, but every department in the hospital setting can play their part – from operating theatres and endoscopy departments, to EBME and sterile services. From the board to the ward, everyone must take a proactive approach to minimising waste,


reducing energy usage, and moving to reusable alternatives where appropriate. But the NHS cannot do it on its own – it will need to work with suppliers in partnership, to move away from ‘cheapest first’ procurement models, and to ask challenging questions. Industry supply chains have also come under scrutiny like never before – shining a light on those manufacturers who have put profits before people and the planet. It appears that lessons are being learnt and improvements made. This is, in part, due to the highly driven healthcare professionals who have applied significant pressure on suppliers, a top-down strategic approach from the DHSC, and leadership from some of the more enlightened suppliers, who have set the benchmark. All of this has been helped by the fact that the NHS has adopted a 10% weighting for Net Zero and Social Value across all new NHS procurements. From April 2023, implementation of the Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note 006 began,


requiring suppliers for all new contracts above £5 million per annum to publish a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP). From April 2024, the NHS proportionately extended this requirement to all new procurements and, to date, over 2,000 suppliers have signed up to the Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment – a tool for suppliers to engage with the NHS on their sustainability journey and demonstrate progress. Faced with scrutiny, big corporations are now contemplating their green credentials and


moving beyond ‘green washing’. Even those who have had a less than spotless track record, in the past, are now talking about Net Zero and Social Value. There has been a significant culture change. However, only by continuing to ask challenging questions and incentivising best practice, can we ensure this momentum continues. In this edition, we look at the many ways that the acute sector and healthcare industry can


both reduce carbon reduction by working in partnership, through better procurement and collaborative innovation. It has been a year since CSJ published its ‘Sustainability Special Focus’ and, once again, we have had an overwhelming response for thought leadership, case studies, insights and opinion. The December and January editions will be packed with ideas on how to drive your green agenda, alongside an update on progress, best practice insights, and innovation by Trusts and industry too. Ultimately, sustainability is in everyone’s interests. The good news is that the NHS remains on track to achieve its interim target of an 80% reduction in direct emissions by 2032. But there is still much more to do...


louiseframpton@stepcomms.com Get in touch and give us your views, email me:


December 2025 I www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 5


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