Sustainability

Our actions today will affect future generations, and nowhere is this more evident than in our approach to climate change and the environment.

The healthcare sector has a fundamental part to play – for example, using our historical knowledge of weather events to map and understand likely impacts, and adapt our business to manage and mitigate risks from climate change.

Addressing climate change is the Trusts most pressing environmental priority and we are committed to help mitigate the threat and support society to adapt to changes caused by man-made emissions already in the atmosphere. Our sustainability strategy has three spheres of focus:

• Our sphere of control – reducing operational emissions through our carbon management programme.
• Our sphere of influence – encouraging sustainable choices among customers, suppliers and the companies we invest in.
• Our sphere of concern – working externally to reach consensus on ways forward for companies, policymakers and other stakeholders.

Last year we said we would aim to reduce our environmental impact and set a route-map to sustainable development

Progress: We achieved a Board Approved Sustainable Development Plan which is programmed to reduce carbon emissions by 10% by 2015. Our design team has been working hard to shape environmental sustainability in the re-development.

Next steps: We continue to pursue our goal to incrementally reduce carbon emissions.

Longer term: Through our products, services and business activities we're also committed to play our part in society's transition to a low carbon economy.

Environmental events

• Green Office Week (1 May)
• International Day for Biodiversity (22 May)
• World Fair Trade Day (May)
• World Environment Day (5 June)
• UK Bike Week (mid-June) www.bikeweek.org.uk
• Oxfam Water Week (June) www.oxfam.org.uk/Waterweek
• European Car Free Day (22 Sept)
• World Animal Day (4 Oct)
• Energy Saving Week (end Oct)
• Buy Nothing Day (Nov) www.buynothing.org.uk
• National Ethical Investment Week (November)

For further information please contact Herman Wa, Environmental and Energy Manager, on 020 8375 8503 or herman.wa@nhs.net.