Green Plan summary
View a breakdown of our 10 Point Green Plan.
Sustainability at Nottinghamshire Healthcare
'Climate change is the greatest global health threat facing the world in the 21st century, but it is also the greatest opportunity to redefine the social and environmental determinants of health' - Lancet Report
Climate change is associated with rising sea levels, increasing global temperatures and weather extremes such as flooding, and these all have a direct impact on both our physical and mental health.
As the climate changes, more people become unwell, increasing the demand on healthcare services, which in turns increases emissions, fuelling the cycle of ill health. However, by adopting the key principles of sustainable healthcare, namely prevention, patient empowerment, lean service delivery and low carbon alternatives, we can break the cycle, leading to improved human and planetary health.
With the NHS contributing 5% of all UK carbon emissions, we must recognise that we are a significant part of the problem, but that we can also be a significant part of the solution.
The Trust is aware of the impact it has on our environment, the local economy, and our patient population. As such we are committed to continually work to integrate sustainability into our core business and deliver a Net Zero NHS and a Greener Nottinghamshire Healthcare.
Our Green Plan
Our Green Plan is a strategic document outlining how the Trust will achieve net zero carbon emissions and sustainable healthcare by 2045. Following Board approval and its official launch in January 2022, the plan has been reviewed annually ever since, with Version 5 expected to be published in Autumn 2026 following a comprehensive review and update to ensure it aligns with the new Trust Strategy.
Our Green Plan sets a clear strategic intent and a vision for the Trust to be:
'A resilient and robust service provision which can adapt to a changing climate whilst delivering efficient, low carbon, patient focussed care'
The overarching aims of our Green Plan are to:
- Ensure our approach is aligned to the NHS-wide ambition to become the world's first healthcare system to reach net zero carbon emissions.
- Ensure we prioritise interventions which simultaneously improve patient care and community wellbeing, while tackling climate change and broader sustainability issues.
- Plan for and make capital investments while increasing operational efficiencies.
During 2025/26 some of our achievements have included:
- A reduction in our carbon footprint by 6.6% when compared to last year (2024/25).
- Continuing to encourage behaviour change through our Greener NottsHC toolkit.
- Holding regular GreenPods for staff to share learning on sustainability.
- The appointment of a Nature Recovery Ranger in June 2026 funded by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare to support the development and use of greenspaces at Sherwood Oaks, Blossomwood and Hopewood.
- Retaining our ISO14001:2015 certified Environmental Management System.
- Delivering ISEP (Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals) accredited environmental training to staff.
- Two staff undertaking a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Sustainable Healthcare.
- Green Grumbles and Sustainability Successes enabling best practice to be shared as well as addressing inefficiencies and waste.
- Sustainability now included in Trust Preceptorship Programme.
- Food waste reduction of 10%.
- External funding awarded for decarbonisation at the Wells Road Centre. £2.6m will be used to replace gas boilers with ground source heat pumps.
- Seven properties on the Rampton Hospital estate were upgraded through the ECO4 scheme. Upgrades included insulation improvements, solar panels and installation of air source heat pumps taking Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings from E to B.
- Increase in plant based and vegan options on patient menus.
- Reduction in catering disposables.
- Business Travel Dashboard created for improved understanding of business mileage expenses.
- Awarded £20k from Nottingham City Council's Workplace Travel Grant, which was used for six e-bikes, an electric vehicle (EV) charger and bike storage facilities at Highbury Hospital.
- Two pool bikes launched at Duncan Macmillan House and Hopewood for staff use.
- Regular Dr Bike/alternative travel sessions and wellbeing walks held across City sites hosted by Wheel Walk Cycle Trust.
- Alternative travel information for patients, visitors and staff provided via the Trust's external facing webpages and on Connect.
- I nstallation of an on-site HOCL® generator to produce a combined cleaning and disinfection solution that is highly effective, consistent, safe and sustainable to generate our own cleaning product across the north of Nottingham.
- Consolidating cleaning consumable suppliers to reduce travel and packaging.
- Estates rationalisation programme.
- Procurement of the Electronic Document Management system commenced.
- The Patient Information Team worked across the Trust to digitise patient information.
You can find out more in our Annual Environmental Performance Report.
People’s Emergency Briefing – Film Screening at Rampton Hospital
The UK faces a growing climate and nature emergency yet most people have never been fully briefed on what it means for our lives, our economy and our future. The climate and nature crisis threatens all aspects of British life from national security to food supply, but solutions exist. The National Emergency Briefing was commissioned to present the latest evidence, and build a call for the Government to stage a televised emergency briefing, the essential first step towards the WW2-scale response now required.
The new film from the National Emergency Briefing sets out the risks facing the nation and the credible, positive responses available in a clear and accessible account.
Join us for a screening of the film in the Mike Harris Centre at Rampton Hospital on 11 August at 7 pm. The film is 50 minutes long and afterwards, there will be time to reflect, share you thoughts, and connect with others in the room in a calm, inclusive, and non-judgmental space. Places are limited to 80 and booking is essential. To reserve a space or find out more information, please email Lynn Walker, Head of Sustainability: lynn.walker@nottshc.nhs.uk. Everyone is welcome. There is free parking and refreshments will be provided.
The People's Emergency Briefing - Teaser Trailer (PG version) can be viewed on YouTube.
Environmental Policy
The Trust has an Environmental Policy to ensure that the we comply with environmental legislation and best practice and actively encourages all staff to participate in and contribute towards improving the sustainability performance of the Trust.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about sustainability at Nottinghamshire Healthcare, please contact the team: environment@nottshc.nhs.uk.
Or follow us on Twitter: @Enviro_NottsHC
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