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16 NHS Trusts today descend on Manchester to take part in an innovative conference designed to help them cut their carbon footprint, hosted by Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust. The event is unique in bringing together NHS Trusts from across the UK to share best practice in delivering carbon reduction within their organisations.
The 16 Trusts is taking part in phase two of the Carbon Trust’s innovative NHS Carbon Management programme and are set to cut their collective carbon footprint by 15 per cent or 64,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year by participating in the programme. The scheme will also help the selected Trusts reduce their combined annual energy bill by approximately £8 million per year.
Today’s conference follows a summer-long consultation amongst all Trusts involved with phase two of the Carbon Trust’s NHS Carbon Management Programme on how best to drive down carbon emissions. The event will allow the 16 Trusts to showcase the most effective ways they have devised to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and energy costs as part of the fight against climate change. Ideas range from the replacement of old, inefficient heating systems to initiatives to reduce the number of miles staff travel each year.
Commenting on the conference, Tom Cumberlege, NHS Public Sector Manager at the Carbon Trust, said:
“It’s vital that publicly funded bodies like the NHS lead by example when it comes to reducing carbon emissions necessary to tackle climate change. Many NHS Trusts are already taking steps to cut their carbon footprint but need extra support or strategic advice to maximise their efforts. Today’s conference, hosted by Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust, gives the 16 Trusts taking part in phase two of the Carbon Trust NHS Carbon Management programme the opportunity to get together and share best practice and expertise from their region. We’re hugely excited about the low carbon, low costs results that events like this can start to deliver.”
The Carbon Trust’s NHS Carbon Management programme is designed specifically for NHS Trusts - providing staff with support and guidance to integrate good carbon management into their organisation’s infrastructure and day to day operations at all levels. The initiative requires significant commitment from NHS Trusts that wish to apply – and is most suitable for mid to large hospitals. The Carbon Trust’s initial assessment, advice and support - including analysis and training - is free of charge, but the organisation’s project leader is required to devote at least two days a week to the programme’s implementation during its ten month duration. Initial capital investment may also be needed to replace existing infrastructure with more energy efficient models.
The current NHS Carbon Management programme will run until 31 March 2008. Any NHS Trust in the UK that would like to be considered for phase three of the programme should email Tom Cumberlege, Public Sector Manager at the Carbon Trust.
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