Contributing around 4% of England’s emissions the NHS is both a part of the problem and the solution; it must tackle climate change at source if it is to deliver on its core purpose: to improve health and care, now and for future generations. Which is why, in October 2020, the NHS became the world’s first health service to commit to reaching carbon net zero, in response to the profound and growing threat to health posed by climate change. As outlined in the Delivering a Net Zero NHS publication, the NHS has set two targets: 
 

  • To be net zero by 2040 for directly controlled emissions   
  • To be net zero by 2045 for emissions that the NHS influences  
     

There is overwhelming support for a greener NHS across the system. Nine in ten staff support the NHS net zero ambition and a growing number – eight in ten – have taken action in their professional lives, including saving energy, recycling waste, taking greener routes to work or better prescribing such as switching to lower carbon anaesthetic gases. 

As part of our approach to equip NIA Fellows with critical knowledge, relationships and skills to scale innovation in the NHS, Greener NHS will provide support and guidance on how to reduce the impact on the environment of the NIA Fellows solutions.  

The support will include: 

  • Helping Fellows to understand the net zero NHS objectives and associated requirements, particularly the requirements of the NHS supplier roadmap and complete climate-readiness assessments to support them on their journey towards net zero. 
  • Developing our Fellow recruitment approach to embed sustainability as part of the application and selection process. 
  • Optional follow-on sessions for our Fellows to receive advice with their Carbon Reduction Plans (CRP). 

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We will also be working with the AHSN (Academic Health Science Network) sustainability teams and Net Zero lead to help support our Fellows in carrying out their assessments. The NIA is delivered in close partnership with the AHSN Network with the main drive to help to ready scalable innovations in their maturity journey to be implemented in the NHS. The NIA does this by helping our Fellows’ solutions to extend their footprint in the NHS and supporting their business growth. We do this to help enhance patient experiences and outcomes, improve our NHS and grow employment in the UK.  

Konrad Dobschuetz, National Director, NIA comments: “Addressing the climate crisis is one of the key challenges of our time and healthcare has a significant role to play in helping to reduce carbon emissions. Our collaboration with Greener NHS will help us to provide our current and future Fellows with the knowledge and support to contribute to the drive to reach net zero complementing their overall maturity journey. We look forward to working with them.” 

Nick Watts, Chief Sustainability Officer, NHS England, comments: “Innovation is the vital energy that drives better health for our patients and communities while tackling climate change and saving money.  

The NIA programme does exactly this – supporting innovators on their sustainability journey and preparing the broader industry for our net zero future.” 

Piyush Mahapatra, NIA Fellow, CEO and co-founder OpenMedical, comments: “I am delighted and grateful to hear this and look very much forward to continuing our work with the colleagues from the Greener NHS. By being part of the NIA programme, we can benefit from this partnership and really looking forward to furthering our cause of sustainable healthcare for everyone through digital excellence.” 

Pete Waddingham, AHSN NetZero Lead, comments: “Net Zero is a key driver for the AHSN Network to support innovators in their journey and help the NHS in their plan to become a net zero organization by 2040. As the Net Zero lead for the Network, I am very much looking forward to the outcome of this collaboration and beginning to see innovators entering the NHS which can positively contribute to the Net Zero agenda.”