Published on: 17th June 2022
As the UK marks Clean Air Day (16th June), Lincolnshire’s NHS Green Plans are set to play their 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 plans by the NHS in Lincolnshire set out how they will reduce their environmental impact and help the NHS reach net zero by 2040.
Sarah Connery, Chief Executive, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“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.
“Our NHS Green Plans bring together our aspirations in Lincolnshire and are testament to our staff’s commitment to tackling climate change. We are proud to set out the positive actions we will take to reduce our impact on the environment and safeguard the health of future generations.”
The green plans lay out how the NHS, which contributes approximately 3.5% (9.5 billion miles) of all road travel in England, will make this travel greener. Smarter buildings, LED lighting and other energy saving measures are also reducing emissions whilst also ensuring better use of taxpayers money. Helping patients to use inhalers more efficiently also saves carbon and improves patient care.
Initiatives at NHS Lincolnshire include:
- 24 electric vehicle charging points have now been installed across five healthcare sites with a roll out plan for more.
- Government funding to fully de-carbonise a number of properties and reduce energy costs– including the replacement of gas and oil boilers with air source heat pumps, new windows, loft and wall insulation and LED lighting.
- Working with a local bus company to provide staff with access to discounted bus travel in and around Lincoln, to support more sustainable means of travel.
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 the NHS in Lincolnshire 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.”
