A free workshop for NHS leaders hosted by Arden & GEM on 4 March highlighted the urgency for accelerated measures to close the gap between current progress and net zero ambitions.
The World Health Organization estimates that climate change could contribute up to 250,000 additional deaths per year (2030–2050). The NHS’s ambition is to deliver the world’s first net zero health service and respond to climate change, improving health now and for future generations.
Current decarbonisation trends suggest that the NHS is not on course to meet its 2040 target to reach net zero direct emissions without further intervention. To reach this milestone, the adoption of real-time data tools, more aggressive sustainability strategies and an operational shift to embed sustainable processes need to take place.
Moving beyond commitments
As the NHS expands its sustainability efforts, and the focus shifts from planning to delivering tangible results, accurate carbon reporting has become increasingly important. More NHS organisations have to meet more rigorous reporting obligations, from Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting to mandatory Carbon Reduction Plans.
It is critically important that reporting is correct, as inaccurate or misleading carbon reporting can have serious consequences for trusts and ICSs – including fines, reputational damage and a loss of public trust – as well as limiting progress towards net zero.
However, half of NHS decision makers report that their trust lacks the expertise needed to manage the complexities of accurate carbon and sustainability reporting. 40% of NHS organisations struggle to gather accurate carbon data, and the work can make great demands on staff time. In 2021, the average time spent by NHS trusts on administrative tasks related to carbon reporting was over one month – pulling key staff away from frontline services
Our solution
With only a small percentage of NHS organisations on track to meet their Scope 1 and 2 targets, there is a clear need for supporting technology that can track emissions accurately and monitor progress continuously. The data-driven Net Zero Health and Care Pathway Tool meets this need.
The tool is designed to:
- monitor carbon emissions in real time
- identify areas of inefficiency and high emissions
- forecast the impact of different scenarios to aid planning
- deliver recommendations for emissions reduction.
This user-friendly scalable solution – designed to require minimal effort from the end user – was co-developed with clinicians, sustainability experts and NHS data scientists and has already been rolled out in several NHS organisations.
The platform tracks patient activity, emission factors, carbon inputs and CO2 outputs, providing actionable insights across community, emergency, hospital and outpatient care. For example, if a trust rolls out a new digital service that supports patients online and reduces admissions, the tool can predict the reduction in carbon and the potential cost saving for the NHS.
To learn more and to see a demo of the tool, watch the webinar recording:
Or get in touch with us via email for a further conversation and/or demonstration and to learn more about our net zero consultancy services.