PIC: Ivan Lewis
The NHS, reportedly Europe’s biggest employer, and a contributor of approximately 3% of England’s total carbon dioxide emissions, has published for consultation a Carbon Reduction Strategy that commits the service as a whole to reducing emissions by 60% by 2050 in all areas, including procurement, travel and building energy use.
The strategy’s key proposals include:
- All NHS bodies to have a Carbon Management Strategy by 2009.
- Organisations to report annually on their sustainable development progress.
- The NHS to recycle 75% of its waste by 2020.
The draft strategy, with a response deadline of 21 August, is the first output of the NHS Sustainable Development Unit, hosted by NHS East of England.
The NHS reportedly generates over 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, being the largest public sector contributor to climate change. The strategy shows where such carbon dioxide emissions are originating, and proposes actions for reducing the carbon footprint.
NHS CEO David Nicholson said: “The nature and scale of our business in the NHS means we have a responsibility – as well as a unique opportunity – to play a leading role in the climate change agenda for the benefit of patients and the public.
To provide practical support to healthcare organisations we have established a new NHS Sustainable Development Unit. This will help build on the work we are already doing - over half of all NHS Trusts are now registered on the NHS Good Corporate Citizenship Assessment Model – adding fresh ideas and impetus. I am confident we can rise to this challenge.”
Saving Carbon, Improving Health: A Carbon Reduction Strategy for the NHS in England, can be found at www.sdu.nhs.uk
The UK Climate Change Bill sets a new target to cut carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60% by 2050, based on 1990 levels, with a minimum 26% per cent reduction by 2020.
