Which Organisation Emits More CO2 Than 50 Countries?

The National Health Service accounts for 3% of UK carbon emissions, which equates to about 18m tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the 50 lowest emitting countries in the World. Considered one of the largest employers in the world, with approximately 1.5m employees the NHS provides free healthcare for all in the UK, across thousands of locations.

Previously these buildings were built with a focus on cost, rather than a concentrating on their overall energy efficiency which over time would have made significant savings on energy consumption. Now they have been shown to be energy hogs - thanks to the introduction of Display Energy Certificates - along with other government buildings.

That was in the past and now the NHS through the NHS Sustainable Development Unit, have created the NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy for England, which intends to reduce emissions directly and indirectly caused by the NHS by 26% by 2020, and 80% by 2050, inline with the target set by the UK government for the rest of the UK.

"Professionals working within and for the NHS are amongst the most trusted people in the country. The impact that climate change will have on the health of the people we serve makes standing and saying we are part of the fight against climate change a key component of the day job of the NHS."

Where the CO2 is Emitted?

• Energy (22%)
• Travel (18%)
• Procurement (60%)

As part of the strategy the NHS Sustainable Development Unit has partnered with other organisations to drive the sustainability message with in the organisation. Partner organisations include, the Energy Saving Trust, Unison, Environment Agency, General Medical Council and Health Protection Agency.

Reasons the NHS is Acting?

1. The New Legally Binding Government Framework & National Targets
2. The Strength of Scientific Evidence to Act Now on Climate Change
3. The Health Co-Benefits for Patients and the Health System
4. The Importance of Cost Reduction
5. The Willingness of NHS Organisations and Staff to Act
6. The Need for the NHS to be a Leading Public Sector Exemplar

The NHS are not dragging their heels on the issue and they are certainly aware, the core responsiblity now is putting this plan into action. They can help enact change, but their toughest challenge will be implementing change on others, especially as procurement is such a major contributor to their overall CO2 emissions.

But they are already testing schemes across the UK which have made changes and successful pilot schemes are likely to form part of the plan. Ideas which have proven successful already include increasing use of sustainable, local and organic foods in the 300m meals provided annually by 1200 NHS hospitals. As previously stated in this blog, converting to organic milk over standard milk reduces the carbon footprint by two-thirds, and using alternative packaging can also reduce the waste.

Using and promoting towel nappies over disposable nappies in pilot schemes on maternity wards has also been proven to increase their use in the areas that these schemes exist.

By procuring in this way the carbon footprint of the NHS organisation has been reduced and it has also influenced the behaviour and carbon footprint of the parents who continue to use cloth nappies at home. The introduction of the Stork-eco nappy in to the Jane Crookall Maternity Unit at the Noble’s Hospital has effectively reduced the Unit’s disposable nappy waste for clinical incineration by 99.9% and their total clinical waste by 83% helping to make long-term financial and environmental savings.

Other Measures Being Introduced To Reduce Emissions

• Review of Energy & Carbon Management
• Development of More Renewable Energy
• Reducing Waste at the Buying Stage
• Working with Suppliers to Reduce their Carbon Footprint
• Providing and Promoting Sustainable Foods
• Systematic Review of Transportation for Staff, Patients and Visitors
• Incentives for Low Carbon Transport
• Promote Care Closer to Home
• Removal of Bottled Water
• Improve Efficiency in Water Use through Measuring and Recording Usage
• Monitoring and Setting Targets for all Waste Streams in all Areas

We will keep tabs on the progress of the NHS over the next few years to let you know how they are doing and to highlight some of the schemes they are implementing to reduce their CO2 emissions.

Envoy for Climate Change

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has chosen Todd Stern - who took part in the Kyoto Protocol negotiations on climate change from 1997 to 1999 - as her envoy for climate change, the state department said. Stern, who served under former President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001, will be the Obama administration's principal adviser on international climate policy and strategy as well as its chief climate negotiator.

After leaving the Government, Stern served as an Adjunct Lecturer at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and as a Resident Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

"Containing climate change will require nothing less than transforming the global economy from a high-carbon to a low-carbon energy base. But done right, this can free us from our dependence on foreign oil and become a driver for economic growth in the 21st Century."
Todd Stern, US Envoy for Climate Change

Articles by Todd Stern

• Capturing the Energy Opportunity: Creating a Low-Carbon Economy, November 27, 2007
• A Changing Climate: The Road Ahead for the United States, November 26, 2007
• A Missed Climate Opportunity, September 26, 2007
• Create an E8: Global Warming Requires Global Leadership, June 1, 2007
• Creating the E-8, June 1, 2007
• Global Warming Goes to the Movies, May 28, 2004

House Pass Economic Package

Following hot-on-the-heels of comments from Barack Obama that the US needed to become energy independent the US House has passed the proposed $819 billion economic package 244 votes to 188.

The bill would cut taxes for people and businesses by $275bn, while pumping more than $540bn into a range of initiatives including road and bridge repair, increased unemployment benefits, investment in new technology and renovations to 10,000 schools. But there is also an investment into some carbon reduction measures, including an $11bn cash injection to the creation of a Green Electricity Grid for the US to ensure that the promised doubling of renewable energy over the next three years, with the additional benefit of 460 000 jobs being created.

Measures in the bill to reduce foreign oil dependence include;

• Reverse US dependence on foreign energy
• Review of decision to block states from setting own emission targets
• Orders the transportation department to come up with new short-term rules on how carmakers can improve fuel efficiency
• Federal buildings to become more efficient
• Double 'green' energy from wind, sun and biofuels over next three years

President Obama also ordered the transportation department to come up with new short-term rules on how carmakers can improve fuel efficiency. A 2007 law required that new cars and trucks produced by 2020 obtain 35 miles per gallon of fuel. However, then-President George W Bush did not put in place the regulations to enable the law to be carried out. The new rules Mr Obama wants to put in place would mean the new standard is reached by 2011. This introduction of a 40% improvement in energy efficiency would see a reduction in oil use of 2m barrels a day, almost equivalent to imports from the persian gulf.

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A sculpture of polar bears floats down the Thames, past the Houses of Parliament, in London, as part of a promotion for natural history TV channel Eden and to remind MPs of global warming.

Keep Recycling!

The public should continue recycling as prices for materials have begun to stabilise.

While the downturn in demand began in October, industry surveys conducted by WRAP and the Local Government Association, along with Environment Agency figures on applications to store recyclable materials, indicates prices are stabilising – although the market remains fragile.

WRAP surveyed 200 organisations, including local authorities, waste management companies, reprocessors and exporters, to determine market confidence and prices before Christmas. Although views were mixed, the overall sentiment was that markets are recovering, albeit not to previous price levels.

"Our market intelligence suggests prices for recovered materials are slowly stabilising and more materials are now moving through the export market. A cross cutting theme across all materials is that materials of varying quality are attracting lower prices because more effort and expense has to go into sorting and cleaning them to produce the equivalent of virgin raw material. The positive result of this is that quality material is more valuable. It is moving at good volumes and generally has less trouble finding end markets. The picture is of a fragile but stable market, in which materials are still moving. The overall picture from the survey is that people can still be confident in using the recycling service provided by their local authority, as the materials they put out are still being recycled. Local Authorities will continue to provide guidance to householders on which materials can be recycled in their area.”
Liz Goodwin, Chief Executive Officer, WRAP (Visit her blog)

A snapshot LGA survey, found 95% of local authority services are continuing as normal despite the fall in prices for recyclable materials. Only 5% of local authorities are having to store recyclable materials for any longer than usual.

“Local people deserve great credit for boosting this country’s recycling rates so dramatically in recent years. The economic downturn has presented challenges to local authorities, but the vast majority of recycling services have been completely unaffected. Councils know only too well that the alternative to recycling is to throw waste into landfill, which is damaging to the environment and expensive for the taxpayer. Local people should continue to recycle as much as possible.”
Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman, LGA Environment Board

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Interest Free Loans For a Low Carbon Economy

The government should offer loans to help homes reduce their energy bills and boost their home's efficiency, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).

According to the LGA, there are ten million homes that do not have adequate insulation, a fact which contributes to their carbon emissions and could keep them in fuel poverty. If all these homes were insulated fully the UK could reduce its carbon footprint by up to 12m tonnes, and shave over £1bil off our annual fuel bills.

In anticipation of the LGA's climate change conference next week, chief executive Paul Bettison called on the government to "give councils more powers to unlock the job-creating potential of the low-carbon economy" as they predict in the "Creating green jobs: developing low-carbon economies" publication that investment in this area could create 150 000 jobs in the current economic downturn.

"We want the government to introduce a national loans fund to allow residents to invest in solid-wall insulation – where they have an older home – and install other measures such as solar power."
Paul Bettison, Chief Executive, Local Government Association (LGA)

Last year Gordon Brown launched a plan to offer all homes free or low cost insulation. Grants are also available to households through the Low Carbon Building Phase I scheme.

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Commercial Operations Begin at Stetson Wind

First Wind, an independent North American wind power company, today celebrated the achievement of commercial operations for its Stetson Wind project. Situated in Washington County, Maine, Stetson Wind will have the capacity to generate clean, wind energy to power about 23,500 New England homes per year.

At an event hosted by First Wind outside the town of Danforth, Governor John E. Baldacci spoke about the project and the environmental and economic benefits of wind power to the State of Maine.


“The Stetson Wind project continues Maine’s aggressive leadership in pursuing energy independence. We are capitalizing on the clean, renewable sources of energy that exist in our State, like wind, solar and tidal. By harnessing these sources of energy locally, we keep money in our State and we create jobs in our State, all while improving our environment and our national security.”
Governor John E. Baldacci


Stetson Wind, a 57 megawatt (MW) wind project, will surpass First Wind’s Mars Hill facility as the largest wind energy project in operation in the State of Maine and in New England. The project consists of 38 General Electric 1.5 MW wind turbines, and will have the capacity to generate approximately 167 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity every year. The project officially began generating power on a commercial basis and delivering it to the New England electrical grid today.

Construction on the project began in January 2008. The project created 350 development and construction jobs, and First Wind spent about $50 million with Maine-based businesses developing and building the project.

“Today, we are proud to mark the commencement of commercial operations of our Stetson Wind project. With nearly 100 MW of clean, wind energy being generated between Stetson Wind and our Mars Hill project, we’re making renewable wind power in Maine a reality and plan to continue our commitment to the state through a number of other projects already in development.”
Paul Gaynor, President and CEO of First Wind

First Wind plans to build additional projects in Maine, including a proposed 25.5 MW expansion at Stetson Wind, as well as the 60 MW Rollins Wind project near the town of Lincoln. First Wind has submitted permit applications with state agencies for both projects.


“This project represents another big step in Maine’s leadership in generating clean, renewable energy. Each wind power project built in Maine provides us with jobs and helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. In Maine, we’re not just talking about the need for clean energy, we’re doing it. The companies and subcontractors who have brought this project to completion are helping to create a new energy future not just for Maine, but for our nation."
Pete Didisheim, Advocacy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Stetson Wind will provide both environmental and economic benefits to the surrounding region. A project of this type can be considered a success for the following reasons:

• A traditional fossil fuel facility producing the same amount of electric energy that Stetson Wind will generate, would consume more than 331,000 barrels of oil per year or over 89,000 tons of coal per year.
• Wind energy emits no greenhouse gases. Based on data recently published by the U.S. EPA’s Emissions and Generation Resource Integrated Database (E-GRID), traditional New England generation sources producing an equivalent annual amount of electric energy as Stetson Wind would emit greenhouse gases (GHG) consisting of nearly 76,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
• To put this in perspective, the amount of CO2 avoided is the equivalent to the annual emissions of over 13,000 cars or over 9,000 SUVs.
• In addition, equivalent energy production from traditional sources would produce 190 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Both SO2 and NOx cause acid rain.
• Through the development and construction of Stetson Wind, more than $50 million has been spent with Maine-based businesses and organizations.
• In total, $4 million in tax payments will be made to local communities over the next 20 years.
• First Wind hires local business services whenever possible, and employed more than 350 people during construction of Stetson Wind. In addition, 6 full time jobs have been created now that the project is in commercial operation.

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British Gas Price Cut

British Gas has said that more than seven million households will benefit when it cut its standard tariff gas prices by 10% on 19 February. The news will see a reduction of £84 from the average annual gas bill and comes after the "big six" energy companies were urged to pass on lower wholesale gas prices.

British Gas, which is part of the Centrica group and trades as Scottish Gas in Scotland, raised its gas prices by a record 35% in 2008, while other companies lifted prices by more than 20%.

"We are committed to providing the best possible prices for customers. This price cut will go some way to helping customers manage their budgets, and we will continue to do what we can, when we can."
Phil Bentley, Managing Director, British Gas

However, consumer watchdogs and Age Concern said that, unless there were further price cuts from all suppliers across all tariffs, "many of the poorest customers will continue struggle to pay their energy bills" and continue to remain in fuel poverty.

Energy price cuts are likely to be too little and too late to help consumers with this winter's fuel bills. More importantly, it is now looking highly unlikely that price cuts are going to wipe out last year's painful hike in household energy bills. One way to reduce your bills further is to reduce your consumption through energy efficient means.

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Downturn No Reason to Stop Climate Change Fight

World leaders must not let the economic downturn get in the way of the fight against climate change, Tony Blair told an energy conference. The former prime minister stressed the importance of acting now and said that a new global agreement was necessary.

"It is now, right now, at the instant when our thoughts are centred on the economic challenge that we must not set to one side the challenge of global warming, but instead resolve to meet it and put the world on a path to sustainable growth for the future."
Tony Blair, Former British Prime Minister

Mr Blair, who said the downturn should not be seen as an obstacle but an opportunity to combat climate change, also set out the terms of a new global agreement. He said interim targets were needed, obligations had to be shared fairly and that people should be ready to make practical simple steps instead of just technological advances.

Energy efficiency, he said could account for a quarter of the reductions necessary to avoid catastrophic climate change. The energy efficiency of existing houses has been highlighted by the Committee on Climate change as something that needs to be improved.

Insulation, double glazing, microgeneration and water saving are among the measures that can help homes become more energy efficient.

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Boris Tests the Telsa

London mayor Boris Johnson has test driven the Tesla Roadster, an all-electric sport car, as part of the Intelligence Squared Green Festival on Climate Change 2009, which runs from 25 January 2009 at the Royal Geographical Society, London.

Mr Johnson, a recent convert to the environmental cause, has said in the past that his next car will be an electric vehicle and made demands of the auto manufacturer.

He said: "What I really want is a people carrier."

The chance to drive the car, which overcomes the accusation that electric cars are boring with its Lotus-inspired design, was given to the mayor by the Intelligence Squared Green Festival.

Four visitors to the festival will also get a chance to hop in the vehicle.

Tesla motors recently introduced the Roadster Sport, which it claims accelerates from nought to 60 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds compared to 3.9 seconds for the model Mr Johnson drove.

The mayor's green transport record has been questioned in the past after funding for bicycle lanes was reduced and he scrapped the western congestion charge zone.

Electric car manufacturer, Telsa, first produced their Roadster model, a historic car as the world’s first fully electric sports car with a Lotus-related design, running from 0 to 60 in less than four seconds, burning no oil and recharging its battery with a 13 amp plug. The car will go on the market in the UK in May 2009 priced at £92,000.

To be in with a chance to test drive the Tesla Roadster, enter the prize draw by booking a ticket.

Tickets for individual sessions cost £10.00 or £15.00 or you can buy a day pass for £50. Tickets for young people aged 18 and under are 75 per cent off, for students, 50 per cent off.

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Energy Efficiency Key in Tate Modern Extension

In just eight years Tate Modern has changed London and revitalised the South Bank of the Thames.

Tate Modern has transformed a previously underdeveloped area of London and has helped give the city a new image as a leading centre of contemporary culture. It has become a key landmark for London, while its programme and architecture have won international acclaim.

Since 2000, more than 30 million people have visited Tate Modern – it was designed for 1.8 million visitors annually, but has reached an average of 4.6 million visitors over recent years. Understandably, there is huge pressure on public facilities; and more space is needed.

As well as displaying works of modern art, a proposed extension to the Tate Modern will also be a testament to energy saving design.

Plans for the new extension, which will resemble a brick pyramid and will be taller than the existing tower on the power station, will see it emit 44 per cent less carbon dioxide than is required by building regulations.

Due for completion by 2012, the £215 million building will use 54 per cent less energy than regulations require, despite glowing at night.

Architects Herzog and de Meuron have included passive design principles and the building will use heat from nearby electricity transformers.

Earlier this month London mayor Boris Johnson announced plans to retrain unemployed people as energy efficiency advisors to help retrofit buildings.

Retrofitting refers to the practice of making an existing building more energy efficient through measures such as installing insulation, double glazing or better boilers.

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Daily Mail Tw@t$

After a long gluttonous and unfortunately carbon intensive Christmas break I am back, and what did I see before me in the Daily Mail this week. None other than a beautiful front cover on the banning on the conventional inefficient light bulb. The government must have done something right to ensure that a "voluntary ban" with the catchy headline "Robbed of their right to buy traditional light bulbs" could out strip column inches from seriously newsworthy stories, like bloodshed in Gaza.

The editors at the the Daily Mail really pushed the boat out to desperate bulb hoarders who had been frantically searching stores for the bulbs to no avail with a 25 000 bulb giveaway, rationing this national supply to just five per reader.

But what is ridiculous is that people are hoarding bulbs in their hundreds or thousands, other than the potential ebayablity in the next few years, to other bulb hoarders wanting to boost their collection of bulbs into the tens of thousands this also shows the lack of real reasoning, that an average light bulb lasts 600hrs.

We have had a few comments on the actual price of the energy saving bulbs, which are "too expensive". I picked some energy saving bulbs up at Tesco for only 8p each, to be truthful, I picked up a few hundred, to give out to friends, family and whoever else wanted them. Not to mention the fact that they last 10 to 12 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Look and you shall find them for cheap or free. Plus you won't have to run to the shops in your car as often to buy them, saving time and fuel, and of course risking life to change the one on the landing.

People are concerned that they require more resources than conventional bulbs, and that must be more carbon intensive. However, a carbon footprint analysis by the Carbon Trust for Tesco own brand CFL bulbs showed that per hour of usage, the energy saving bulb was less carbon intensive in it's production.

Medical charities say they can trigger epileptic fits, migraines and skin rashes. To which I don't doubt that this is an extremely small minority, or as we all went to Tesco to pick up incandescent bulbs we would simply fall to the ground in a fit and burst out into a rash, not to mention the inability to function in life at all, as almost all publicly accessible buildings have CFLs.