NHSPS is playing its part in NHS ‘net zero carbon’ drive

As we look towards the future, and begin to think about a return to some sense of normality, conversations are reigniting around the UK’s net zero carbon goals. With the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) set to be held in Glasgow in November, the environmental impact of businesses across industries is being brought to the forefront of internal and external discussions. This includes within the NHS, which has adopted a plan to become the world’s first net zero national health system by 2040. 1

NHS Property Services (NHSPS) owns approximately 10 per cent of the NHS estate, and is responsible for over 3,000 properties across England. We understand that we have a role in the pursuit of the NHS’s net zero goals, which will also help to support the wider net zero goals of the UK. To support the NHS in these ambitions, we are determined to reduce the negative environmental impacts of our buildings. To do this, we launched our energy and environment Strategy in 2019/20 – a broad-ranging, three-year plan, comprising around 200 actions across several key themes focusing on energy, water, liquid fuel, transport, waste, and plastic usage, as well, of course, as reducing carbon emissions.

To enforce this strategy, we have established several programmes and campaigns, which also need to be monitored for progress and results. When we began this strategy, this was one of the first tasks I had to take on.