carbon reduction
A firm commitment
H
ealth sector organisations have pledged to support the sustainability commitments laid
out in the recently-published NHS Long-Term Plan. The NHS Sustainable Development
Unit (SDU) has worked in collaboration with a Cross System Group, comprising key representatives from organisations across the health and care sector, to establish significant sustainability commitments on behalf of 10 Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs). The health sector in England is the
first globally to issue a collective commitment of intent to deliver climate-friendly services and a long- term commitment to sustainability. The ALBs affirming their commitment
are Public Health England, the Care Quality Commission, Department of Health and Social Care, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), NHS England, NHS Improvement, NHS Property Services, CHP, NHS Health Education England, and NHS Digital. Their commitments are underpinned
by a plan which supports key targets within the Long-Term Plan, with the 10 ALBs jointly stating: “As leaders across the health and care sector, we take the responsibility of sustainable development seriously as a means of improving health. We support the delivery of the Long-Term Plan commitments, both individually and collectively, to reduce carbon, waste and water across our functions; reduce single-use plastics; contribute to improved air quality; and improve health and sustainability by contributing to efficient, effective healthcare, healthier and more-sustainable places, reducing environmental hazards and our environmental impact. “We will work together to ensure our
organisational and collaborative actions maximise the reach and contribution across the health care system.”
Airedale recognised for green efforts
A
iredale NHS Foundation Trust has won recognition for its ‘green’ credentials.
The organisation has been awarded a
certificate of excellence for its sustainability reporting. “As an NHS organisation the trust has
an obligation to work in a way that has a positive effect on the communities it serves,” said David Moss, managing director of AGH Solutions, which is responsible for estates, facilities and procurement at Airedale Hospital. “Sustainability means spending
public money effectively, the smart and efficient use of natural resources, and building healthy communities.” The trust has a dedicated EcoAwaire
group and a management plan that sets out goals to reduce its carbon footprint. That plan includes recycling 96% of
‘black bag’ waste, urging staff to use refillable water bottles rather than plastic cups, and reducing energy consumption across the Steeton site. Its certificate of excellence was
received from the NHS Sustainable Development Unit, NHS Improvement, and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Moss said: “The trust has been pro-
active with its carbon reduction and in 2014 we replaced our 40-year-old
boilers with a state-of-the-art combined heat and power (CHP) engine and modern, energy-efficient boilers. Also, recently, we have replaced 2,900 light fittings with sensor lighting. “As a result, we’ve been able to
reduce electricity use by five million KWH – this is a reduction of around 3,000 tonnes of carbon every year, which equates to a cut of over 34%. “We have also improved our building
energy performance certificate to a C rating. This is quite an achievement with an estate approaching 50 years old and is indicative of the investment and energy performance achieved.” In a further salute to the trust’s
‘green’ achievements, consultant anaesthetist and sustainability lead, Dr Frank Swinton, has been named a finalist in the NHS Sustainability Awards. Dr Swinton, who recently gained a
Masters degree in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability in Sweden, said: “It’s wonderful to be recognised, but the greatest joy for me is to be able to put my Masters to work in an organisation that is taking sustainability really seriously and which is already thinking about the health of future generations.”
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