Schneider: Swathe of NHS Failing to Measure Sustainability

A swathe of the United Kingdom’s public health system, the National Health Service, is failing to measure its carbon footprint, according to data obtained by Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation.  

Information obtained by the company shows one in three (31%) of NHS Trusts in England do not have a clear roadmap in place to meet net-zero targets. It also shows that one in five NHS Trusts still get over 90% of their energy from fossil fuels. 

This is despite NHS England’s declared ambition of achieving an 80% reduction in direct emissions by 2032.

The data also shows that the NHS is responsible for around 4% of England’s total carbon footprint and 40% of total public sector emissions.  

The NHS is the UK's public healthcare system, and provides medical services free at point-of-use. It covers primary care, hospital treatments, and specialist services. The NHS employs approximately 1.4 million people across the UK, making it one of the largest employers globally. 

NHS Trusts are organisations within the NHS that manage hospitals or specific local healthcare services. They operate semi-autonomously, and are responsible for their own budgets and staffing. 

Schneider obtained the information under a Freedom of Information request, which is permitted under the UK’s Freedom of Information Act, designed to provide public access to information held by public authorities. 

The FOI request included data from 58 Trusts, and although it points to sustainability failures in many Trusts it also contains evidence of sustainability progress in others – most notably that 60% of Trusts have upgraded their building systems in an effort be more sustainable.  

Schneider: Half of NHS trusts 'using fossil fuels'

Also, nearly a half (48%) of Trusts have adopted technologies to help them monitor and optimise energy usage.  

But just one in five (19%) have begun implementing circular business practices, including the refurbishment and redistribution of certain equipment, including mobility aids. 

The FOI also reveals that 67% of NHS Trusts have received some level of government funding to spend on decarbonisation, suggesting that further improvements are underway.

An estimated 40% of Trusts are spending this money on installing energy efficient technologies and equipment such as LED lighting and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.  

One in three (34%) are spending it on upgrading heating, lighting and ventilation systems.  

A sixth (16%) are going down the renewable route, investing in solar panels and other sources of renewable energy.  

But just one in 10 (12%) are investing in sustainability training and awareness programmes. 

Schneider says that despite these efforts, the NHS “still has a long way to go”. 

Kas Mohammed, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland’s VP Digital Energy says: “The NHS is a symbol of national pride for many in the UK. However, it currently faces a significant challenge when it comes to energy consumption and costs.

“Significant changes need to happen in order to create the sustainable hospital buildings that will drive down energy costs and enable to NHS to meet its net-zero targets, without compromising on patient care.

“Investment in modern technologies and digital services could enable Trusts to retrofit their buildings and make the NHS more sustainable and resilient for the generations to come.”