NUH Green Plan 2025-2028
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) has committed to the NHS Sustainability Vision that by 2040 we will have achieved a Net Zero carbon operation for all our emissions from heating and energy use.
We have also committed to an 80% reduction of our Carbon Footprint Plus (indirect emissions including procurement), access to our services will be low carbon (via telemedicine, active travel, electric vehicle use and excellent public transport links).
In order to achieve these objectives, we have created our Green Plan which will take us to 2028 and has helped us to determine the following focus areas.
- Workforce and system Leadership: Focus on engaging and developing the workforce to help us to deliver carbon reduction initiatives, ensuring alignment with the NUH Social Value Plan and that all staff are trained on carbon and sustainability awareness.
- Net Zero Clinical Transformation: The NHS is committed to moving to out-of-hospital and digitally-enabled care where clinically appropriate, improving prevention of ill health and reducing health inequalities. These changes also underpin our commitment to net zero. Net zero clinical transformation should ensure high-quality, preventative, low-carbon care is provided to patients at every stage.
- Digital transformation: The direct alignments between the digital transformation agenda and a net zero NHS are clear. We will look for ways to harness existing digital technology and systems to streamline NUH service delivery, supporting functions whilst reducing carbon emissions.
- Travel and transport: We plan to reduce the carbon emissions arising from travel and transport associated with the NUH, with the ambition to decarbonise commute and travel to our sites.
- Estates and facilities: Explore reducing the carbon emissions arising from the Estate including the optimisation of our building systems to ensure we minimise energy demand.
- Medicines: Seek opportunities to reduce the carbon emissions related to NUH’s prescribing and use of medicines and medical products. The focus is the reduction of medicine wastage, reducing carbon emissions associated with inhalers and decommissioning of harmful anaesthetic gasses.
- Supply chain and procurement: The NHS supply chain accounts for approximately 62% of total carbon emissions and is a clear priority area. This area of focus follows in line with the NHSE Net Zero Procurement Roadmap and emphasises the need for embedded net zero plans amongst our biggest contracts and focus on resources efficiency.
- Food and nutrition: Consider ways to reduce the carbon emissions from the food made, processed and/or served within NUH.
- Adaptation: NUH’s approach to mitigate the risks or effects of climate change and severe weather conditions on our business and functions.
Read our full Green Plan to find out more about our plans to meet the NHS Sustainability Vision.