The Government’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) have concerns that the NHS is not doing enough to meet its Net-Zero Carbon Reduction commitments. The EAC has called for the NHS to bring forward its targets for decarbonisation and to fast track the issue of sustainability. As the largest source of carbon emissions in the public sector, greening the NHS is a key the UK can become Carbon Net-Zero. WRM Sustainability are aware that a number of Trusts, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) do not have Green Plans. All organisations are required to implement Green Plans which aim to reduce carbon emissions, reduce air pollution and reduce waste. Becoming a Carbon-Net Zero organisation is a significant challenge that will require a large commitment of time and resource. To become Carbon Net-Zero by 2050, it is vital that more NHS organisations adopt and implement Green Plans as soon as possible.
WRM Sustainability consider the need for NHS organisations to review their environmental policies to be as pressing as ever. Changes to the way in which the NHS operates resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in regards to the adoption of working from home and teleconferencing software to be an opportunity to address key sustainability issues facing the NHS.
Adopting Green Plans can deliver benefits to human health as well as environmental health. By addressing issues of environmental sustainability, the NHS can guard against future public health issues. These are issues such as increased non-communicable diseases, vector borne diseases and tropical illnesses.
WRM Sustainability actively promote sustainability within the NHS and examples of our work can be found here and here. Our work with Leeds Teaching Hospitals has been recognised in the British Medical Journal and nominated for an award.
WRM will be presenting at the Westminster Public Health Forum on Thursday 2nd July and details of how to attend this webinar can be found at www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk.
