As the biggest employer in Britain , the NHS contributes to the equivalent of 4 % of England ’ s total carbon footprint . The effects of climate change caused by carbon emissions such as air pollution , increasing allergens , extreme heat and water quality impacts , to name but a few , can exacerbate long-term conditions and lead to poor mental and physical health .
Sharing learning
The NHS has the power to use innovative solutions to tackle existing sustainability issues and concerns . Industry and innovators can also work to consider and build sustainability into innovation concepts and products , to help us work towards net zero carbon emissions .
We have heard some of these solutions over the past year as we hosted a series of sharing and learning events on behalf of the AHSN Network ’ s Environmental Sustainability Community of Interest , which seeks to share best practice innovations and initiatives to support the delivery of a Net Zero NHS .
The virtual events explored topics such as : national ambitions and strategies , reducing the carbon impact of anaesthetic gases and reducing the environmental impact of asthma inhalers . All three events were attended by a total of 564 people with the event recordings attracting 628 views .
According to the follow-up survey after the last event , 100 % of those who completed it said they had learned something from attending .
Our ‘ green ’ accelerator
In April 2021 , we launched Propel @ YH Net Zero ( see page 34 ), a new sustainable health accelerator pilot programme commissioned by West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership for Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs ) who either have new innovations that can support the NHS ’ drive towards ‘ net zero ,’ or who have existing products that can be made more sustainable .
Three companies took part in the three-month programme , that provided bespoke guidance and support services to enable them to
Impact of reducing inhaler emissions
Prescriptions of blue inhalers reduced by over
Over
457
metric tonnes
16,000 units of CO2e emissions have been offset
Equivalent to
more than 571 transatlantic flights
9 Transforming Lives Through Innovation