AHSN NENC aims to become net zero by 2030
The Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC) has published its first carbon reduction plan which summarises how the organisation aims to reach net zero by 2030, 10 years ahead of the wider target set by the NHS.
Following in the footsteps of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB), the AHSN NENC has outlined plans to contribute to ambitious targets to become the greenest region in England by 2030 by reducing its own carbon footprint. This supports the Delivering a Net Zero NHS report which was published by NHS England, which aims to become net zero by 2040.
Dr Nicola Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer at the AHSN NENC, said:
“There’s lots of great work already happening in the North East and North Cumbria to make the region the greenest and healthiest in the country by 2030, and I’m delighted that the AHSN NENC is working together with partners to support and facilitate this work.
“The publication of our first carbon reduction plan highlights a commitment to reduce our organisational carbon footprint, outlining how we plan to embed sustainability throughout the AHSN NENC.
“We have already reduced emissions by 20% since 2021 by supporting hybrid working, encouraging use of public transport and reducing printed materials and I look forward to this continuing.”
In addition, the AHSN NENC has a unique role to play in supporting innovators to share sustainable healthcare solutions across the region. Nicola continued:
“As well as reducing our own organisational carbon footprint, earlier this year we declared a climate emergency, pledging to not only reduce the carbon emissions that we control, but to support innovators in their mission to do so too. The AHSN NENC plays a unique role within the regional health and care system, bringing together NHS, academia, industry and partners in the region. We want to lead the way by supporting innovators to navigate the NHS supply chain and broker innovative sustainable solutions which can be spread and adopted across the region, leading to reduced health inequalities through the delivery of greener care and services.”
The AHSN NENC’s carbon reduction plan highlights the steps required to reach the goal of net zero emissions by 2030, including:
- Relocating to a Net Zero building, on or before 2029.
- Reducing the impact of employee commuting by 6% every year by actively encouraging staff to use public transport or car sharing if possible.
- Reducing business travel by 12% every year by optimising journeys, utilising public transport, utilising electric vehicles, using video conferencing and implementing a green travel management plan.
- Reducing emissions from purchased goods and services by 3% every year.
Read the full carbon reduction report here.
Are you an SME or innovator looking to expand products or services into the NHS and care sector? You can read more about how the AHSN NENC created their carbon reduction plan as a supplier to the NHS in this blog by Hannah Gibson, Project Manager.
For more information and free specialist support, get in touch at [email protected].
Join us on 10th July for Health inequality and air pollution – are we joining the dots? With Professor Sir Chris Witty
At this event hosted by NHS Confederation, delegates will hear from Professor Sir Chris Witty, Chief Medical Officer for England, Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air at Global Action Plan and Peter Lillie, Sustainability Strategy Consultant at AHSN NENC.
Delegates will learn about the recent findings and recommendations from the CMO report on air pollution, discuss strategies for adopting the ICS Clean Air Framework to improve health outcomes and highlight the invaluable role of connecting air pollution and health inequalities, enabling ICS leaders to address both challenges effectively.
The event will be held online on Monday 10th July, 15:30 – 17:00