Being a BAOT member means you also belong to Unison and can access support and advice on workplace issues at any time .
Climate emergency and the vision for a net-zero NHS
Unison is committed to raising awareness of its climate emergency work , the green transformation of public services and support of the How is Unison union ’ s green activists and environmental reps in the workplace . involved ?
Man-made climate change is a health emergency . Climate change Unison is the biggest is with us already , having widespread devastating effects on people and the planet . The carbon emissions and greenhouse gases that we produce are the prime cause of this climate change .
To limit the resulting change in the climate , the UK is committed to reaching ‘ net-zero ’ carbon emissions by 2040 . This would mean that the country produces no more carbon than it absorbs or offsets .
The NHS must lead in reducing its carbon emissions if the UK is going to be able to meet its goals and contribute to preventing climate disaster .
In October 2020 , the NHS in England published its report Delivering a ‘ Net Zero ’ National Health Service , developed as the result of the work of an NHS expert panel . Unison is involved in this work , with national secretary for health , Sara Gorton , sitting on the panel .
How is the NHS going to reduce carbon emissions ?
Additional contributions occur in the way people interact with the NHS , from staff driving to their workplaces , to patients travelling to a clinic . The NHS is aiming to get to ‘ net-zero ’ carbon emissions when considering all of its activities . In order to succeed , this requires the expertise and engagement of every staff member in the NHS .
Actions the NHS will take to reduce carbon emissions include : improving the insulation and the efficiency of the lighting systems in NHS buildings ; purchasing energy from renewable sources only ; and transitioning to vehicles that run on renewable energy .
Changes to the way treatments are delivered , which can improve or maintain standards of care while reducing carbon emissions include : switching to low carbon inhalers for asthma treatment ; and managing outpatient clinics virtually to reduce the need for travel .
And there a range of ways the NHS can reduce the emissions of its suppliers and partners by working together , such as : preventing food waste ; and reducing unnecessary single-use plastics .
Even with all these interventions , there is still more to be done , much of which will depend on new ideas and technological progress .
The report recognises that staff will be crucial in driving developments and a dedicated ‘ net-zero ’ training package for staff working in estates and facilities will be introduced . trade union working in the NHS and will be a critical partner in helping the NHS meet its target . The actions we take to reduce carbon emissions improve the conditions in our workplaces and population health overall .
Achieving these goals will require the expertise and involvement of everyone in the health service . We are determined to give more power to our members , to make sure they are involved in the positive aspects of this work , and to ensure their voices are heard .
What does this mean for me ?
Every staff group in the NHS is going to be involved in this work . Unison has networks representing all of the staff groups in the health sector and will be holding conversations with our members to understand their views and experiences .
To raise awareness and to get the conversation going among occupational therapy staff , the BAOT / Unison National Panel of Stewards has agreed a statement supporting the NHS net zero strategy and identifying ways that staff can play their part in helping to reduce carbon emissions ( see page 13 ).
As part of Unison ’ s work , we are encouraging members to complete our survey to tell us about green practices in their
workplace and to let us know about the environmental issues that are important to them .
Please complete our survey and encourage your colleagues to do the same : www . surveygizmo . eu / s3 / 90268377 / Greening-the- NHS .
We are encouraging all our Unison branches to hold discussions with their local employer to find out about their plans to implement sustainable practices , and to work with them in partnership and with the involvement of staff , to deliver on the ambitions of the NHS net zero strategy .
If you wish to comment or share examples of good green practices in your workplace , please email us at : BaotStewards @ unison . co . uk .
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12 OTnews May 2021