Net zero

Working towards environmental sustainability

Climate change is a critical challenge for healthcare systems, impacting patients, staff, suppliers and wider society – but is is also a great opportunity to redefine the social and environmental determinants of health to create a healthier more sustainable future.

The NHS is responsible for 4% of England’s total carbon footprint. Air and water pollution, increasing allergens and rising temperatures all have a detrimental impact on health and wellbeing, disproportionately affecting people with long-term conditions such as respiratory issues.

In response to this challenge the NHS committed in 2020 to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045. ‘Net zero’ refers to a strategy to help combat climate change by achieving a balance between the production of carbon/greenhouse gases and the amount removed from the atmosphere. The journey to a lower carbon economy relies on harnessing sustainable innovation, coupled with changes in services and behaviour.

At Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley we are working with innovators, our partner NHS integrated care systems (ICSs) and within our own organisation to support the NHS net zero ambition.

Supporting healthcare systems and innovators

Health innovation networks occupy a unique role linking healthcare systems, research and industry. As a result we are well placed to ensure environmental sustainability is integrated into strategy and everyday operations. We work together across the country, sharing best practice through webinars supporting a net zero NHS. You can catch up with recordings here or by clicking on the image at the top of the page. Topics covered to date include reducing the environmental impact of asthma inhalers and cutting nitrous oxide waste.

The three South East health innovation networks (Kent Surrey Sussex, Oxford and Wessex) are working together to offer practical support relating to net zero for healthcare professionals and innovators. These include:

• a practical guide for NHS respiratory teams to benefit patients and reduce the environmental impact of asthma treatments
• a comprehensive support pack to help innovators with their net zero journey

We also established a clean air framework in partnership with Global Action Plan and four integrated care boards across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Kent and Surrey.

Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley has committed to match the NHS carbon reduction targets in our own carbon reduction plan to measure, manage and significantly reduce our emissions.

Real world examples

We ensure environmental sustainability is factored into all innovations before we support spread and adoption. Recent examples include:

Personalised approach reduces the need for journeys to hospital

• A digital tool is enabling more interaction by telephone rather than face-to-face prior to routine hip and knee operations

A test to rule out pre-eclampsia in pregnancy

• Routine use of a blood test to rule out pre-eclampsia is keeping thousands of pregnant women safe at home

A test for polycystic ovary syndrome

• This new test has the potential to improve patient experience and reduce NHS carbon footprint

An environmentally-friendly product addressing urinary incontinence

• An alternative to continence pads has a smaller carbon footprint