Who we are
Sustainability
Climate change poses a major risk to health and wellbeing, as well as a significant service delivery and financial threat to the NHS, impacting both infrastructure and services for patients.
In 2020 the NHS became the world’s first health system to commit to reaching net zero and take action to reduce the future impacts of climate change.
Sustainability
Our Trust published an initial green plan covering 2022-2025 and has now published an updated strategy covering 2025-2028. This aligns with our recent Five Year Focus (2026-2031) which makes sustainable services one of our four Trust goals.
Our Green Plan sets out how our Trust will reduce our carbon emissions and improve population health. It builds upon our previous Green Plan, reflecting national policy changes and the progress we’ve already made to date.
Delivering a Net Zero NHS
The NHS accounts for 4% of the UK’s carbon footprint and 40% of all public-sector emissions, as we use a lot of resources to keep our healthcare services running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.In 2020, the NHS declared that it wanted to be the world’s first net zero carbon healthcare service.
What this means for GHC
To reach the NHS England’s interim target of an 80% reduction in our NHS Carbon Footprint by 2032, we must reduce emissions by around 8% each year. Beyond 2032, we will need to reduce our emissions by 2.5% per year to reach net zero by 2040.
Our Goals (2025-2028)
By 2028, we will reduce our NHS Carbon Footprint by 50% (against a 19/20 baseline)
We will reach net zero for our Carbon Footprint Plus emissions by 2045
By 2028, we will integrate sustainability into wider Trust service delivery and key governance processes to enhance patient care, make best use of resources and reduce waste.
Workforce and Leadership
We need everyone, from Senior Leaders to frontline staff, to feel supported and inspired to take sustainability action. To do this, we will provide our workforce with the tools and knowledge to embed sustainable practices within their day-to-day activities.
Net Zero Clinical Transformation
How we design and deliver care significantly influences our carbon footprint – from reducing unnecessary travel and hospital admissions to embracing prevention. By rethinking the way care is provided, we can not only reduce emissions but also improve patient outcomes, reduce health inequalities and build a more efficient healthcare system.
Digital Transformation
We can use digital technology to improve patient access and experience, streamline clinical services and reduce reliance on paper, travel and other resource-intensive processes.
Medicines
Medicines are responsible for 25% of the NHS’s Carbon Footprint Plus, making them one of the biggest contributors to healthcare emissions. By focusing on Medicine optimisation, we can make sure patients get the right medicines at the right time. This will not only improve patient care, but lower carbon emissions, reduce waste and support NHS net zero ambitions.
Travel and Transport
Due to its high carbon footprint, travel and transport play a crucial role in our net zero ambitions and are included in both our NHS Carbon Footprint and NHS Carbon Footprint Plus emissions. Not only will reducing these emissions make us more sustainable, but it will also improve air quality and public health.
Estates and Facilities
The NHS estate and its supporting facilities services contribute 15% towards the total NHS carbon footprint. By removing fossil fuels and improving the efficiency of our estate, our buildings will become more resilient to the effects of climate change and improve the environment in which care is delivered.
Supply Chain and Procurement
Supply chain and procurement underpin every aspect of healthcare delivery – medicines, medical equipment, PPE, food, uniforms and cleaning. We can use our purchasing power to focus on more sustainable procurement practices, including the use of local suppliers to aid social value.
Food and Nutrition
The food we produce, purchase and serve across the Trust has an environmental and carbon impact. We can continue to meet the nutritional requirements of people while reducing our carbon emissions through sourcing local, in-season and lower-carbon produce and reducing food waste.
Adaptation
Adapting our buildings, ways of working and being flexible in how we deliver care, we can protect colleagues, service users and reduce climate-related service disruptions.
Greenspace and Biodiversity
Accessible Greenspace improves wellbeing, supports preventative healthcare measures through physical activity and helps to reduce carbon and improve air quality.