"Critical care for our climate" - UCLH's net zero strategy
Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. However, there is no doubt that we can all play our part in rising to this challenge.
UCLH has developed this strategy, building upon our pre-existing Green Plan, to offer a more detailed and operational approach to responding to our environmental challenges over the rest of this decade and across the next.
It sets out the key actions that we must take across our hospitals, such as eliminating the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels across our estate and moving to low carbon clinical care models, as we transition to become a net zero health provider.
You can download the strategy in full, or a short-form version if preferred, by clicking on the buttons below.
UCLH declares a climate and health emergency
UCLH has made a firm commitment to reduce its impact on the environment. To galvanise action, UCLH has declared a climate and health emergency. This builds on progress made since the UCLH Green Plan was put in place in 2020 and helped shape the net zero strategy that launched in January 2023.
The Green Plan has seen investment of more than £2.5m in a programme that includes:
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installing low energy lights
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switching to sustainable electricity and recycled paper
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reducing patient journeys by up to 45 per cent
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reducing the use of the most harmful anaesthetic gas by up to100 per cent
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encouraging staff to take part in climate action schemes
We are dedicated to treating and supporting our patients and staff within the constraints of our natural resources, increasing our readiness for changing times and climate, and strengthening our links with the local community. In 2021, we were the proud winners of a Sustainability Award in the Public Engagement category.
We aim to embed sustainable development principles in every facet of our activities. Read more about our progress on our other climate action web pages.
Sustainable patient information – improving quality, reducing waste
In 2024, we implemented a project to convert our patient information library to a digital format. We converted 500+ leaflets to the digital accessible information standard, aligning with national NHS guidance. This saved around 2 million sheets of paper annually, reducing our carbon emissions by around c.15 tonnes of CO2e.
We also saved around £100K per year on printing and delivery costs. Leaflet racks were replaced with posters promoting departmental leaflets, as part of a programme of improving the appearance of our waiting areas and other public spaces, and providing patients with the most relevant, up-to-date information.
The project also provided an opportunity to:
- review the content of our patient information, and to update our library
- streamline the updating process for staff.
This improved the quality of our patient information and reduced staff time.
We worked with colleagues across UCLH, and with patients, to deliver this initiative, which forms part of the Trust's strategy of achieving net zero carbon emissions in clinical activity and procurement – part of its wider goal of achieving net zero by 2031.
In line with the NHS' own carbon reduction target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040, UCLH issued its Green Plan in 2020 and Net Zero strategy in 2023. Having declared a Climate and Health Emergency in 2021, we are now aiming to go further and achieve this target by 2031. The UCLH Sustainability Programme Board is responsible to the UCLH Board for meeting these challenges. The group consists of senior managers and clinicians from pharmacy, radiography, procurement, information systems, and estates and facilities management. Its work is constantly evolving, and it remains responsive to new challenges.
Working with the NHS
We are working with colleagues across the NHS to reduce the impact and cost of energy, waste, water and transport. As a member of the Shelford Group of NHS trusts, we are collectively working towards sustainable procurement.
We are working with colleagues across North Central London to collaborate, share ideas, and problem solve. We are the ICB’s lead provider in two key areas: reusable PPE and sustainable medicines.
Working with the community
We are an advisory board member of the Camden Climate Change Alliance. We are working with local businesses, public sector organisations, and local Business Improvement Districts to minimise adverse effects on biodiversity from our necessary operations and to ensure that all members of staff are aware of their responsibilities towards protecting biodiversity. We will continue with this collaboration to achieve common goals.
Our climate action approach is defined by policies for sustainable development, carbon, and waste management that are endorsed by the UCLH Board. These integrate the latest requirements and guidance from the Greener NHS.
In line with the NHS Standard Contract, the UCLH Net zero strategy: “Critical care for our climate”, outlines our strategy towards a 'net zero' UCLH. It takes into consideration the NHS Long Term Plan's commitments, together with the NHS' own ambition to achieve environmental sustainability.
