South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust to contribute to NHS green savings equivalent to half a million fewer cars on the road
As the UK marks Clean Air Day (16th June) South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust’s (SWFT) Green Plan is set to play its part in helping the NHS cut more than 1m tonnes of C02 emissions in the next three years – the equivalent of taking 520,000 cars off the road.
One of more than 200 new green plans put forward by NHS trusts across England, the plan by SWFT sets out how it will reduce its environmental impact and help the NHS reach net zero by 2040.
Cristina Calleja, Sustainability Manager at SWFT said:
"SWFT has been committed to improving its environmental impact for many years, since we produced our first carbon management plan in 2012. However, the scale of the issue has meant we have fast tracked our efforts - with air pollution alone contributing to 1 in 20 deaths in this country a year, it is clear we are facing a health emergency as well as a climate emergency. We have no choice but to act faster and act now.
We have already embedded agile working into our operations with staff working from home where possible, source all our electricity from renewable sources, and put in place an extensive LED lighting programme. Our Green Plan commits us further and key to our efforts will be our integrated energy solution project where we will be assessing how we power our sites with a view to eliminating estates related emissions by 2040. We are also making plans for electrifying our fleet, reducing plastic in the clinical care products we purchase and recycling food waste.
“Our Green Plan is a testament to our staff's commitment to tackling climate change, and we are proud to set out the positive actions we will take to reduce our impact on the environment and safeguard the future health of our children and grandchildren."
“Our values are embedded within our 2021/22 Strategic Objectives and are integral to our Green Plan to achieve sustainable, person-centred care in a safe and quality-focused way.”
Dr Nick Watts, Chief Sustainability Officer at NHS England said:
“The NHS was the first health system in the world to commit to net zero and the outstanding innovation and commitment from SWFT is a vital step towards achieving that aim.
“Doing our bit on climate change will directly improve public health and reduce health inequalities, cutting deaths caused by air pollution and ensuring a healthier future for our children.”
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