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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?
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?
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
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.
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?
- The New Legally Binding Government Framework & National Targets
- The Strength of Scientific Evidence to Act Now on Climate Change
- The Health Co-Benefits for Patients and the Health System
- The Importance of Cost Reduction
- The Willingness of NHS Organisations and Staff to Act
- 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.
