It was great to speak with the NHS Assembly today about how we need to take #ClimateAction now, and the work we're doing through @SustainableNUTH to help deliver a @GreenerNHS.
I was also able to outline key challenges for the NHS & policy-makers, here's a thread: 👇 <1/10>
I was also able to outline key challenges for the NHS & policy-makers, here's a thread: 👇 <1/10>
Repeatedly we have evidence that the #ClimateEmergency is a health emergency: whether that be flash floods closing A&Es, heatwaves killing hundreds, or the joint challenge of cutting emissions & the air pollution that contributes to heart disease, stroke & lung cancer <2/10>
That's why in 2019 @NewcastleHosps became the first health organisation in the world to publicly declare a climate emergency - committing to fast-track decarbonisation along with our civic partners like @NewcastleCC
We knew that commitment would be very challenging. <3/10>
We knew that commitment would be very challenging. <3/10>
Our commitment isn't just to get to net-zero by a date (2030 for controllable emissions; 2040 for the emissions we influence).
Crucially it's about reducing emissions now at the pace needed to limit global temperature rises: ~13%/year guided by work of @TyndallCentre <4/10>
Crucially it's about reducing emissions now at the pace needed to limit global temperature rises: ~13%/year guided by work of @TyndallCentre <4/10>
Our staff are really energised by this. Fab work includes:
- Saving 2,000 tonnes of carbon by walking/cycling more & using remote consultations,
- Changing our use of anaesthetic gases, including the UK's 1st birth using climate-friendly gas & air! <5/10>
- Saving 2,000 tonnes of carbon by walking/cycling more & using remote consultations,
- Changing our use of anaesthetic gases, including the UK's 1st birth using climate-friendly gas & air! <5/10>
https://twitter.com/JackieDanielNHS/status/1436270633978155008
But despite this great work, we are not reducing our emissions as fast as we need to. Our direct emissions 2019-21 fell by 5% a year. Good - but not enough
We know this because of our commitment to transparency & publishing detailed carbon accounts bit.ly/Shine-2021 <6/10>
We know this because of our commitment to transparency & publishing detailed carbon accounts bit.ly/Shine-2021 <6/10>
The key challenge to going faster is decarbonising energy: which is 90% of our controllable emissions.
Our hospitals - like most - are heated & powered by on-site combined gas-fuelled plants. Replacing those will be technically challenging & expensive - we must start now. <7/10>
Our hospitals - like most - are heated & powered by on-site combined gas-fuelled plants. Replacing those will be technically challenging & expensive - we must start now. <7/10>
The wider emissions we influence are driven by what we buy: supplies, medicines, consumables. We're working with suppliers to better measure emissions & stressing decarbonising priority.
Selling to our £1.4bn Trust will come with an expectation of shared #ClimateAction <8/10>
Selling to our £1.4bn Trust will come with an expectation of shared #ClimateAction <8/10>
Ahead of @COP26 I'm hopeful because of the energy & commitment I see in our staff and partners.
That needs to be matched with local & national leadership and a funded plan to decarbonise heat & our supply chain, so the NHS can meet our sustainability requirements. <9/10>
That needs to be matched with local & national leadership and a funded plan to decarbonise heat & our supply chain, so the NHS can meet our sustainability requirements. <9/10>
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