Our Journey to Net Zero

Our Trust

At the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, we understand that climate change and human health are inextricably linked. The importance of the role we play is understood, and we acknowledge that we have a duty to take steps to reduce our impact wherever possible, and to ensure that we can continue to provide quality care for future generations. The Trust has historically been committed to the values driven by Sustainable Development, evidenced by the numerous awards and achievements it has gained over the years. In 2015 the Trust won the Zero Waste Award 2015, gained Highly Commended in the NHS Sustainability Awards 2015, and won Healthcare Recycler of the Year at the National Recycling Awards 2015. The Trust continues to enhance and uphold the values driven by Sustainable Development and the environmental agenda across all services, and is taking steps to grow this programme of work further. 

Delivering a Net Zero NHS

In October 2020, the NHS became the first in the world to commit to delivering a net zero national health system. This meant that the NHS had committed to reducing harmful carbon emissions, and investing in efforts that remove greenhouse gases from 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 2008. In order to achieve this goal the NHS have set two targets. For the emissions the NHS can control directly (the NHS Carbon Footprint), the NHS aim to meet the net zero target by 2040, with an ambition to reach 80% reduction by 2028 to 2032. For the emissions that the NHS can influence (the NHS Carbon Footprint Plus), the NHS will reach net zero by 2045, with an ambition to reach an 80% reduction by 2036 to 2039. (Delivering a 'Net Zero' National Health Service) The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is dedicated to contributing to this goal and will take steps to become net zero by 2045. 

Our Plan

Building on the work highlighted in the previous Sustainable Development Management Plan 2015-2020, we have developed a new comprehensive Green Plan that highlights what we aim to achieve over the next 3 years on our journey to net nero. The plan covers a wide range of topics including:

• Workforce and system leadership;
• Sustainable models of care;
• Digital transformation;
• Travel and transport;
• Estates and facilities; 
• Biodiversity and greenspace;
• Medicines;
• Supply chain and procurement;
• Food and nutrition;
• Climate adaptation.

Alongside the Green Plan, we will be developing a range of governance and change management programmes to support the implementation of this strategy with an accompanying action plan. This will ensure that we are able to implement and deliver the strategy efficiently within the 3 year period and for further sequential Green Plans going forward. 

To find out more about Sustainability at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, please email iownt.sustainability@nhs.net

 

 

Our Governance