UHNM goes green on Earth Day
UHNM has launched a new Green Plan in line with accelerated net zero carbon targets. The plan will address issues such as minimising air pollution from health-related transport, travel and logistics, energy use, green space, carbon emissions and climate change and adaptation.
Louise Stockdale, Head of Environmental Sustainability at UHNM, said: “As a Trust we are expected to consider our direct and potential impacts on the environment as well as our influence on the supply chain and local communities. The Green Plan is an essential part of sustainable healthcare delivery to ensure services remain fit for purpose today and for the future.
“The climate change crisis has been described as “the biggest global public health challenge of the 21st century” and as such UHNM is committed to demonstrating exemplar leadership in sustainability and providing unwavering support to this global agenda.
“Our ambition is to become a leader in delivering sustainable healthcare, embedding sustainability into the organisational culture and working towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
“We are fully committed to working with our partners to effect environmental improvements that will benefit both the organisation and the region.
“Our strategy sets out our approach to addressing UHNM contribution to carbon emissions with clear actions to decarbonise our NHS estate and practices, where possible maximising opportunities to influence sustainable behaviours and policy at a local and eegional level.
“This Green Plan marks the start of a new chapter for UHNM. Building upon the progress made through our previous Sustainable Development Management Plan (SDMP), this strategy sets out our longterm vision for sustainable healthcare and the progress we will need to make during the next three years.
“The positive outcomes of this plan will only be realised if all colleagues work together to limit our environmental impact, with active collaboration within the wider healthcare system.”
The UK Government is committed to take action on climate change as part of its Climate Change Act with a target to have net zero in carbon emissions by 2050. This ambition is supported by NHS England & Improvement NHSEI, which launched ‘For a Greener NHS’ campaign to be the first net zero health service in the world.