We recognise the enormity of climate change and the issues it presents to the health of everyone, including our local community, the wider North East region and beyond, in particular the key issue of air quality, which is linked to respiratory and heart diseases and cancer.
Climate change is one of the greatest threats to our health and wellbeing and in recent years we’ve made significant progress in reducing our emissions from our own activities, however, as one of the largest employers in the area we create a substantial contribution to air pollution and carbon footprint and must take conscious actions to improve and reduce this. NHS England is responsible for around 4% of England’s carbon footprint, so key we work to reduce our impact and help the UK’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
The Trust has committed to targets of being net-zero by 2040 and 2045 and the Green Plan details the short-term pathways over the next few years to achieve the longer-term target. Our objectives are:
Objectives
- By 2028 –
- Reduce emissions from building energy by 20%.
- Reduce total waste volumes by 5%.
- Reduce emissions from grey fleet (business travel) by 20%.
- Reduce emissions from NOX by 15%.
- By 2032 –
- 47% reduction in the NHS Carbon Footprint from the 2019/20 baseline.
- By 2027 –
- 73% reduction in the NHS Carbon Footprint plus from the 2019/20 baseline.
- By 2040 –
- Net Zero for the emissions we control
- By 2045 –
- Net Zero for all emissions
The vision is to be a leader in sustainable healthcare within the NHS, to the benefit of our local community.
Green Plan 2025-28
The Trust has developed a Green Plan setting out targets and actions to reduce our carbon footprint and meet those objectives and overall vision.
10 key areas of focus
- Workforce System & Leadership
- Sustainable Models of Care
- Digital Transformation
- Travel & Transport
- Estates & Facilities
- Waste & Circular Economy
- Medicines
- Supply Chain & Procurement
- Food & Nutrition
- Adaptation and Greening the Estate
Electric car charging points
There are limited electric charging points available on site for visitors and spaces can’t be guaranteed, please ask at reception for locations.