Carbon reduction in the NHS: Conference told low-carbon technologies key to reducing NHS emissions

Speaking at the Sustainable Buildings in 2030 conference in Cambridge last week, a number of leading figures warned that low-carbon technologies would need to be adopted if the UK was to meet tough targets which aim to reduce CO₂ emissions by 80% by 2050.

As the NHS is one of the biggest culprits, it is expected to lead the way, helping to both improve the environment and the health of the population.

The developed West needs to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions of 60%-80%. This means that pretty much everything has to become zero carbon

To do this, speakers claimed, it will need to follow in the footsteps of the likes of retail giant, Tesco, whose flagship store in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, not only uses natural ventilation, lighting and refrigeration gas, but also generates its own energy using biofuels. Excess electricity generated is exported back to the grid which, as former chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy, commented, made the store effectively ‘carbon negative’.

He added: “The developed West needs to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions of 60%-80%. This means that pretty much everything has to become zero carbon.”

He added that the move was good for business, too, with Tesco reducing its emissions by 20% in 12 months alone, saving £150m.

Also speaking at the event was Dr Michelle Moram from the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy at Cambridge University. She spoke about the role energy-efficient lighting will play; an investment that is low cost, but high impact.

She said that LED technology, for example, is not only energy-saving, but also has additional health benefits such as boosting serotonin levels and reducing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). And she called for more investment in research and incentives to encourage industry to develop high-efficiency, low-cost technologies.

Everyone in the construction industry needs to work together to reduce carbon emissions. We need to be developing sustainable buildings now if we are to achieve the reductions necessary to combat global warming

The construction industry can also do its bit by using less metal in design and re-using and recycling materials during the building phase.

Commenting at the event, Dr Shaun Fitzgerald, managing director and co-founder of organiser, Breathing Buildings, a natural ventilation specialist, said: “Everyone in the construction industry needs to work together to reduce carbon emissions. We need to be developing sustainable buildings now if we are to achieve the reductions necessary to combat global warming.

“While it is important to get new build projects right, retro-fits and refurbishments provide a fantastic opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of an existing building.”