{"id":34524,"date":"2023-07-18T12:39:09","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T11:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digileaders.com\/?p=34524"},"modified":"2023-07-20T10:56:17","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T09:56:17","slug":"sustainability-in-the-nhs-the-criticality-of-data-in-achieving-net-zero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digileaders.com\/sustainability-in-the-nhs-the-criticality-of-data-in-achieving-net-zero\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability in the NHS: the criticality of data in achieving net zero"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite the many well publicised issues facing health and care provision in the UK today, climate change continues to be a focus with long-term implications. In July 2022, the NHS reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by becoming the first health system to embed net zero into legislation, with the\u00a0Health and Care Act 2022<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As one of the largest organisations in the UK, reducing its carbon footprint through a national \u2018Greener NHS\u2019 programme will significantly decrease the country\u2019s overall carbon emissions. Furthermore, NHS Scotland\u2019s \u2018Fairer, Greener Scotland Programme\u2019, Northern Ireland\u2019s review of climate change, and Green Health Wales are all aspiring for the same thing \u2013 to achieve net zero.<\/p>\n

Implementing these carbon reduction measures will inevitably create large cost savings and enable the NHS to invest more keenly in delivering its overriding purpose of \u2018putting the patient at the heart of all [they] do\u2019. However, this is far from simple to achieve, especially considering that the areas requiring improvement are far reaching, including both direct and indirect emissions across supply chains, construction, staff commuting, citizen travel and accessing health and care in the home (to name just a few)!<\/p>\n

This strategy for a Greener NHS is laudable, and of course, necessary. But as business and management guru Henry Mintzberg states, \u201cstrategy is not the consequence of planning: it\u2019s a starting point.\u201d So, how does an organisation such as the NHS, made up of a wide range of organisations with differing roles and responsibilities, plan for a more sustainable future?<\/p>\n

Converting strategy to action<\/h3>\n

Without accurate measurements, it is impossible for health and care organisations to manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or to assess the success of sustainability initiatives. As such, the first step for any Trust or Board is to gather the appropriate data sets and emission factors.<\/p>\n

This can be a bit of a task as it often involves understanding what data exists, what data is needed and where the gaps are. Once achieved however, you can establish a roadmap to net zero for both your directly and indirectly controlled emissions.<\/p>\n

Tackling these initial steps then enables your organisation to effectively plan the required actions and interventions to achieve net zero. The next critical step is to create strong internal governance and outline a firm strategic approach to sustainability. This can be achieved using an \u2018assess, plan, perform, sustain\u2019 framework, which includes:<\/p>\n