Introduction
At Leeds Community Healthcare, we take our responsibility for reducing our carbon footprint seriously. That is why we have reviewed our net zero target and made the decision to bring that date forward to 2040. We hope this new target will result in increased focus and determination to reduce our carbon emissions and play our part tackling the challenge of climate change.
Green Plan 2025 to 2028
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust recognises the risks around climate change and has committed to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero.
The trust’s first 2022 to 2025 Green Plan has established a robust sustainability foundation for the Trust to build on. It is now the time to change the way in which the Trust operates to ensure that sustainability and carbon reduction is recognised in every decision and development. Consequently, this new plan will be more ambitious in tactics, planning and measurable outcomes.
The trust has committed to be net zero by 2040, 5 years earlier than the previous plan. This new target will only be achieved with an increased focus and determination placed on the sustainability agenda. It will be imperative to embed sustainability in all aspects of the organisation through strong leadership and prioritisation, spearheaded through a real vision and tangible outcomes.
This focus on benefits and outcomes, specifically on emission reduction, will allow us to articulate clearly how we are progressing over the next 3 years and accurately place ourselves against our Net Zero trajectory.
Although we recognise this will be a challenging period, there are many opportunities that lie ahead of us. As always, we approach challenges with positivity and curiosity to maximise potential.
Procurement
Within procurement the trust will aim to improve several areas such as:
- Packaging
- The life cycle of the products we order
- Ensure sustainability is a foundation in the consideration of contracts we procure
- Review of single use plastics.
- We will also continue with work as closely as possible with our procurement partners at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT).
Buildings and estate
The trust recognises the challenges that come with decarbonising its estate, and has taken a practical realistic approach over the next 3 years to make meaningful change.
- This includes a move to LED lighting in all our buildings
- Introduction of SMART meters and centralised cloud technologies to improve heating controls.
- Evaluation of the trust’s buildings roofs to establish which ones are appropriate for installation of solar panels.
Toward the end of the 3-year period the trust will aim to review and prioritise buildings that will need a boiler replacement over the next 5 years in anticipation for central heating transition from gas to electric.
Travel and transport
Emissions have decreased from LCHs travel, mainly through a shift of staff using an electric vehicle for travel compared to petrol or diesel cars. Although this is a positive step in the right direction the overall mileage at LCH remains stubbornly high. Therefore, focus over the next 3 years will be to continue to facilitate mileage reduction, not only to curb emissions but to also have an impact on efficiency on services and financial savings.
Waste
As waste is already making strong progress due to the transition to the improved waste streams the sustainability department will continue to work closely with the trust’s waste department to continue progress already made. There will be deep dive into hotspots of waste within the organisation and an emphasis on staff awareness campaigns. Finally, the trust will continue to work in collaboration with other large public sector organisations to explore waste to energy options.
