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We are proud to have signed the #GreenLibraries Manifesto and look forward to working together with our community to take action on the environment!

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Its vision is to deliver the world’s first net zero health service and respond to climate change, improving health now and for future generations.

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Health Education England | Knowledge and Library Services

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What are the main strategies on sustainability in the NHS?

NHS England

Its vision is to deliver the world's first net zero health service and respond to climate change, improving health now and for future generations.

A greener NHS

The NHS was founded to provide high-quality care for all, now, and for future generations. Understanding that climate change and human health are inextricably linked, in October 2020, it became the first in the world to commit to delivering a net zero national health system. This means improving healthcare while reducing harmful carbon emissions, and investing in efforts that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

With around 4% of the country's carbon emissions, and over 7% of the economy, the NHS has an essential role to play in meeting the net zero targets set under the Climate Change Act (Delivering a 'Net Zero' National Health Service).

Two clear and feasible targets are outlined in the Delivering a 'Net Zero' National Health Service report:

The NHS Carbon Footprint: for the emissions we control directly, net zero by 2040

The NHS Carbon Footprint Plus: for the emissions we can influence, net zero by 2045.

Led by Dr Nick Watts, the NHS's first Chief Sustainability Officer, the Greener NHS National Programme exists to drive this transformation while delivering against our broader environmental health priorities.

Laid out in the NHS Long Term Plan, these extended sustainability commitments range from reducing single-use plastics and water consumption, through to improving air quality.

Discover how the NHS is becoming greener

Thanks to its people, partners, and suppliers, the NHS is already building a greener NHS. One year on from setting out these targets, the NHS has reduced its emissions by the equivalent of powering 1.1 million homes annually.

Stay up to date on how the NHS is becoming greener.

NHS organisations

Every NHS trust and Integrated Care System should have a Green Plan which sets out their aims, objectives, and delivery plans for carbon reduction. In each case, this should be signed off by the Trust Board, with a board-level 'net zero lead' responsible for overseeing its delivery.

Given the pivotal role that integrated care systems (ICSs) play, each system will also need to develop its own Green Plan, based on the strategies of its member organisations.

How to produce a Green Plan: A three-year strategy towards net zero (June 2021 update) explains how NHS organisations should construct their Green Plans, the areas and initiatives that the plans should cover, and signposts to supporting resources. Green Plans should cover the following areas:

1. Estates and facilities

2. Travel and transport

3. Supply chain and procurement

4. Medicines

5. Workforce and system leadership

6. Sustainable models of care

7. Food and nutrition

8. Digital transformation

9. Adaptation

On 1 July 2022, the NHS became the first health system to embed net zero into legislation, through the Health and Care Act 2022. This places duties on NHS England, and all trusts, foundation trusts, and integrated care boards to contribute towards statutory emissions and environmental targets.

The Act requires commissioners and providers of NHS services specifically to address the net zero emissions targets. It also covers measures to adapt to any current or predicted impacts of climate change identified within the 2008 Climate Change Act.

Trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs) will meet this new duty through the delivery of their Green Plans, with every Trust and ICB in the country now having a board-level lead.

To support them, statutory guidance, including the Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service report and the Net Zero Supplier Roadmap is available to assist with the delivery of these duties.

NHS Digital

See their Sustainable Development Management Plan 2017-2022.

While their plan covers areas included in the Greener NHS Strategy, they also include digital sustainability.

This focuses on the 'use of digital technologies and tools to enable carbon savings across both NHS Digital's own delivery and now to the wider health system.' It includes:

Spread and adoption

Sustaining spread and adoption is about making sure innovations and changes stick in an organisation and are adopted by others. It's about 'holding the gains' and 'evolving as required.'

See NHS England's spread and adoption guide and its 7 interconnected principles: complexity; leadership; the individua;l benefit; adopter focus; networks; learning.

See also the Care Quality Commission's Enabling innovation and adoption in health and social care.

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NHS sustainability strategy | Health Education England

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What are the main strategies on sustainability in the NHS?

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The Greener NHS programme will work with our staff, hospitals and our partners. We will build on the great work being done by trusts across the country, sharing ideas on how to reduce the impact on public health and the environment, save money and reach net carbon zero.

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A list of 27 e-books on sustainability recommended by NHS library colleagues.

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Health Education England | Knowledge and Library Services

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27 e-books on sustainability have been selected on the recommendations of KLS colleagues.

Copies have been purchased from Kortext for each regional collection and are available on their platform and also via the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub.

50 Ways to Help the Planet: Easy ways to live a sustainable life
Berry S., Hachette, 2018, 9780857836304

An Introduction to Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Personal Perspectives
Mulligan M, 2nd ed., Taylor and Francis, 2017, 9781315519432

Data Science Applied to Sustainability Analysis
Dunn J and Balaprakash P, Elsevier Science and Technology, 2021, 9780128179772

Developing a Plan for the Planet: A Business Plan for Sustainable Living
Chambers I and Humble J, Taylor and Francis 2017, 9781351944953

Environmental Sustainability and Economy
Verma P, Perrotti D and Srivastava K, Elsevier Science & Technology, 2021, 9780128223659

Green and Sustainable Finance: Principles and Practice
Thompson S, Kogan Page, 2021, 9781789664553

Greener Marketing: A Responsible Approach to Business
Charter M, Taylor and Francis, 2017, 9781351283502

Greener Purchasing: Opportunities and Innovations
Russel T, Taylor and Francis, 2017, 9781351283380

Inconspicuous consumption: the environmental impact you don't know you have
Schlossberg T, Little, Brown, 2019, 9781538747094

Innovations in Healthcare Management: Cost-Effective and Sustainable Solutions
Singh V and Lillrank P, Taylor and Francis, 2015, 9781482252101

Introduction To Environmental Impact Assessment
Glasson J and Therivel R,, 5th ed., Taylor and Francis, 2019, 9780429894619

Making Sustainability Work: Best Practices in Managing and Measuring Corporate Social, Environmental, and Economic Impacts
Epstein M et al., 2nd ed., Routledge, 2017, 9781351276429

Preparing for Continuous Quality Improvement for Healthcare: Sustainability through Functional Tree Structures
Ziaee R and Bologna J, Taylor and Francis, 2015, 9781466567726

Purchasing and Supply Chain Management: A Sustainability Perspective
Johnsen T, Howard M and Miemczyk J, 2nd ed., Taylor and Francis, 2018, 9781351661911

Routledge Handbook of Sustainability Indicators
Bell S, Taylor and Francis, 2018, 9781317200314

Shoulder to Shoulder: Working Together for a Sustainable Future
Hess, E, Rowman & Littlefield, 2021, 9781538144404

Sustainability made simple: small changes for big impact
Bird R and DeMates L, Rowman and Littlefield, 2019, 9781538135440

Sustainability Principles and Practice
Robertson M, 3rd ed., Routledge, 2021, 9780367723224

Sustainability for healthcare management: A Leadership Imperative
Rich C, Singleton J and Wadhwa S, 2nd ed., Taylor and Francis, 2018, 9781351997676

Sustainability: What It Is and How to Measure It
Hedstrom G, De Gruyter, 2019, 9781547400508

Sustainable Human Resource Management: Strategies, Practices and Challenges
Mariappanadar S, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019, 9781350305052

The Challenge of Sustainability: Corporate Governance in a Complicated World
Zinkin J, De Gruyter, 2020, 9783110670608

The Energy Wise Workplace: Practical and Cost-Effective Ideas for a Sustainable and Green Workplace
Dondero J, Rowman & Littlefield, 2017, 9781442279506

The sustainable(ish) living guide: everything you need to know to make small changes that make a big difference
Gale J, Green Tree, 2020, 9781472969149

There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years
Berners-Lee, M, Cambridge University Press, 2021, 9781108905411

Toward sustainable transitions in healthcare systems
Broerse J, Routledge, 2017, 9781351867146

Walking: Connecting Sustainable Transport with Health
Mulley C, Gebel K and Ding D, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2017, 9781787149991

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sustainability ebooks | Health Education England

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27 e-books on sustainability have been selected on the recommendations of KLS colleagues. Copies have been purchased from Kortext for each regional collection and are available on their platform and also via the NHS Knowledge and Library Hub.

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Enrol now and gain a deep understanding of the critical link between climate change and healthcare.

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Carbon Literacy for healthcare - elearning for healthcare

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Bridging the gap between climate policy and climate action for healthcare staff

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This Green Plan document provides the organisational approach to sustainability for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. It is a strategy of central importance with a scope that covers all that we do; from the clinical services we directly provide to the diversity of support services that enable the delivery of high quality patient care.

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Outdoor spaces for your mind and body to rest, recharge and refocus

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Photo of Heatherwood Hospital with locations of gardens

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Map of Wexham Park marked with locations of gardens

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Map of Frimley Park marked with locations of gardens

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Environmental sustainability in health and social care

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Environmental sustainability in health and social care

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The NHS accounts for 25 per cent of public sector carbon dioxide emissions in the UK and is coming under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. At the same time, the health and social care system is facing an unprecedented financial challenge.

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Read the final paper

The final paper, written by Chris Naylor and John Appleby, is now available to download or order:

Chris Naylor explains the highlights of the report with our audio-slideshow.

The NHS accounts for 25 per cent of public sector carbon dioxide emissions in the UK and is coming under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. At the same time, the health and social care system is facing an unprecedented financial challenge.

The concept of sustainability can be helpful in addressing both of these imperatives. For example, innovative approaches taken by a number of health and social care organisations demonstrate that it is possible to improve efficiency from both a carbon and a cost perspective, while maintaining or improving the quality of care received by patients.

Although there is a growing evidence base around environmental sustainability in health and social care, there are many unanswered questions. The King's Fund worked with the NHS Sustainable Development Unit to establish what research is needed to support health and social care services in the UK in becoming more environmentally sustainable. The project involves three elements:

a review of published research

interviews with a range of experts in health, social care and sustainability

a survey.

The project is being supported by funding from the Service Delivery and Organisation programme (part of the National Institute for Health Research) and the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

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Environmental sustainability in health and social care

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We worked with the NHS Sustainable Development Unit to establish what evidence is needed to support health and social care services to become more environmentally sustainable.