A programme to reduce the carbon footprint of NHS Scotland and enable more environmentally sustainable care has been launched.
The National Green Theatres Programme, developed by clinicians, will cut the high emissions and waste typically generated in surgery while maintaining the highest levels of patient safety and quality of care.
The first set of actions will help NHS Scotland meet its net zero target by 2040 and reduce carbon emissions by 7,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide, the equivalent 4,400 single passenger return flights from Glasgow to New York.
The programme features a number of measures, all of which can be made without impacting patient safety or standards of care, including:
removing anaesthetic gases from the supply chain
moving away from single use instruments/consumables
introducing waste segregation
switching from pre-operative intravenous to oral paracetamol
The programme is being rolled out across the country following a successful pilot in NHS Highland.
Visiting the green theatre at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd said: “The roll out of the Green Theatres Programme is a very positive step in the right direction to making our NHS net zero by 2040.
“Our incredible NHS staff have worked tirelessly to develop a model that not only puts patients and their safety first, but will reduce our environmental impact.”
Dr Kenneth Barker, CfSD Clinical Lead for the National Green Theatres Programme said: “Our patients always comes first but it’s great that we are now making clinically safe patient care decisions with sustainability in mind.
“Theatres are high carbon and energy intensive areas that produce high volumes of waste, so reducing their environmental impact will make a positive difference toward achieving Scotland’s net zero targets.
“We are working with our National Green Theatres Specialty Delivery Group and national partners to support Boards to implement these actions and are developing a Green Map to monitor progress.”
NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital has significantly reduced its carbon emissions thanks to a team of environmentally conscious anaesthetists.
By replacing the use of one medical gas alone with an eco-friendlier alternative, the Department of Anaesthetic’s carbon footprint has decreased by over 125 tonnes annually.
Anaesthetic gases have a significant impact on the environment and account for around 5% of the overall carbon footprint of health services.
Desflurane and Nitrous Oxide are two of the most environmentally harmful gases used in operating theatres, with Desflurane having a global warming potential 2,500 times greater than carbon dioxide.
The team at the Western stopped using Desflurane in April 2022, switching to eco-friendlier alternatives, which reduced the carbon emissions of their anaesthetic gases by 73%.
Dr Matthew Royds, Clinical Director of Anaesthetics & Theatres at the Western, said: “Operating theatres are significant contributors to the carbon emissions generated by healthcare. A lot of this is due to the gases and techniques which have long been used in anaesthesia.
“Our team feel that, as professionals, we have a moral obligation to find more sustainable alternatives, while continuing to deliver the same high level of patient care.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see the real and measurable reduction in our environmental impact, which has been achieved through a passionate team effort and a long-term commitment to more sustainable practices, which will ultimately benefit us all.”
Withdrawing desflurane is the first action of the Scottish Government’s National Green Theatres Programme, part of the NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability strategy.
Carbon emissions due to Nitrous Oxide at the Western last year were also less than 25% of previous levels due to a change in the way this is used and delivered.
In the next two years, the aim is to reduce these emissions to zero at the Western, with piped Nitrous Oxide at two other Lothian hospitals awaiting decommissioning.
Jane Hopton, Programme Director and Sustainability Lead for NHS Lothian, said: “The changes being driven by Dr Royds and his colleagues are essential if we are to achieve our Net Zero goals.
“The support and commitment of the staff in anaesthetics and theatres has a had huge impact on making this work a success, as well as creating financial and environmental savings for NHS Lothian without compromising patient care.
“In the Royal Infirmary and St John’s hospitals, the teams have also been hard at work to safely reduce the environmental impact of these gases.
“In late 2021, St John’s became the first hospital in Scotland to use a new technology during labour which breaks down exhaled Nitrous Oxide into harmless Nitrogen and Oxygen.
“We are proud to support the increasing number of professionals across NHS Lothian who are taking action to reduce the impact of health care on the environment.”
£2.1 million for Edinburgh Airport energy initiative
Funding is being awarded to deliver carbon-cutting projects across the country.
Edinburgh Airprt is one of eight projects that will share £8.7 million of Scottish Government investment, with project partners providing match funding, taking total investment to £24.4 million.
The projects, funded through the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme include the construction of a district heat network using heat from a Waste Water Treatment Works in Renfrewshire and new Air Source Heat Pumps and energy efficiency measures for new social housing in the Highlands.
Together they’ll cut carbon emissions by around 4,500 tonnes of CO2e a year – the equivalent to taking 2,000 cars off the road.
This round of LCITP funding was designed to support Scotland’s Green Recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting jobs while tackling climate change.
Since 2015, over £60 million has been committed through the LCITP, which is now drawing to a close. A successor to the programme, which will focus on helping deliver Scotland’s Heat in Buildings vision, will be announced by this spring.
Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Meeting our ambitious climate targets will require rapid reduction in carbon emissions across our homes and buildings.
“So I am pleased to announce funding for these eight impressive projects, each of which demonstrates how, working together, we can ensure our homes and buildings are climate-friendly and bring benefits to communities and local economies across the country.
“We are continuing to engage with other exciting projects regarding funding opportunities, and will soon announce plans for a successor to the LCITP which will provide significant investment in large-scale heat projects and heat networks.”
A list of projects to be awarded funding is below:
Lead project partner
Local Authority area
Grant offered
Project Description
Renfrewshire Council
Renfrewshire
£2,887,660
District heat network using heat from a Waste Water Treatment Works with an ambient loop to provide heat to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.
Edinburgh Airport
City of Edinburgh
£2,167,000
Integrated Energy system using 9.9MW of solar PV for battery storage to supply energy and EV charging stations
SWG3
Glasgow City
£170,000
Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps to provide heating and cooling to the SWG3 Arts Centre, utilising heat recovered from cooling event spaces
North Fish
Shetland Islands
£887,253
Wind Turbine being used to generate heat to a number of industrial buildings.
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow City
£329,313
ASHPs to be installed in new build Children’s Nurseries
Trees for Life
Highland
£240,360
ASHP, Batteries and Solar PV for the new Trees for Life Dundreggan Rewilding educational centre.
Link Group
Highland
£812,013
Air Source Heat Pumps and Energy Efficiency for new build Social Housing
Scottish Power Energy Networks
East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire and Highland
£1,270,000
Innovative Heat Pump project installing heat pumps, thermal storage and batteries and assessing impact of electrification on electricity grid.
The UK-hosted COP 26 climate change summit begins today – Sunday, October 31 – with the UK and Pakistan working closely on a greener future for the planet.
It comes as the British High Commission’s #26For26 campaign continues to smash its target of having 26 Pakistani companies commit to halving emissions by 2030 and getting to net zero by 2050. 28 companies have so far signed up.
COP26 is the largest international event of its kind ever to be held in the UK with more than 25,000 delegates arriving in the city of Glasgow- including world leaders, opinion formers and top businesses. It will work to prevent global temperatures rising above 1.5C and protect our planet and people from the impacts of climate change.
The UK has already achieved notable successes so far. Around 70% of the world’s economy is now covered by net zero targets, up from less than 30% when the UK took on the Presidency of COP26. This will help the most vulnerable countries like Pakistan.
Pakistan is the 8th most vulnerable country in the world to climate change. Some experts have warned that Karachi could be completely submerged by 2060 if the current trajectory of rising sea levels continues.
Temperatures in Karachi this year have already been the highest in 74 years and by 2030, property damage due to coastal storm surges and rising sea levels is set to increase tenfold.
By 2100, rising temperatures mean 36% of glaciers along the Hindu Kush & Himalayan range will be gone. The critical situation means Pakistan needs to act now, alongside the rest of the international community.
The UK is already working closely with Pakistan on climate change, and will provide £7m this year in grant financing and technical support to help Pakistan achieve its climate change objectives.
Earlier this year the UK launched a new programme in Lahore to promote cleaner brick production practices which will help improve air quality, reduce smog and fight climate change.
Pakistan’s leadership on some environmental issues has been recognised globally. The UK Prime Minister praised the country’s 10 billion tree tsunami at last month’s United Nations General Assembly.
Earlier this week, HRH the Prince of Wales spoke to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan and agreed on the need for greater global cooperation on climate change and protecting the environment. HRH the Prince of Wales congratulated Prime Minister Imran Khan on the 10 billion tree tsunami initiative.
Climate finance will be key at COP26. To support the transition to net zero, climate resilient economies, getting public and private finance flowing is crucial, especially to emerging markets and developing economies.
Under the UK’s COP26 & G7 Presidencies, we have seen clear moves towards this goal. G7 countries have committed new finance towards the $100bn in climate finance goal, including more funding for adaptation.
In terms of mobilising international finance the UK is committing funds to help Pakistan develop innovative climate financing instruments, including Nature Performance Bonds.
The UK will invest more in Pakistan over the next 5 years, helping communities adapt to climate change and improve community level resilience and supporting the efficient use of water resources.
As hosts of COP26 (co-hosted with Italy), the UK has been driving international action and support to adapt to the effects of climate change, which are already impacting lives, livelihoods and natural habitats across the world.
Thirty five countries have joined the Adaptation Action Coalition, and over 2,000 businesses, investors, regions, cities and other non-state actors have joined the Race to Resilience. Over 40 countries and organisations have joined the Risk-Informed Early Action Partnership, committing to make 1 billion people safer from disaster by 2025.
By signing up to the Race to Zero, over 3,000 companies and 170 investors, have committed to halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest, with transparent and robust action plans.
Under the UK’s G7 Presidency, the first net zero G7 saw all countries commit to deep emission reduction targets in the 2020s and put an end to funding fossil fuels & coal power this year.
The UK has been leading the way and shown that green growth is possible – over the last 30 years our economy has grown by 78% while cutting emissions by 44%. The UK was the first country to commit to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 and is on course to be the fastest G7 country to decarbonise cars and vans by 2030.
As part of the brick kiln programme launched earlier this year, the UK will support a targeted training programme on “Zig Zag” technology for the brick industry to substitute coal and reduce emissions.
This programme will be implemented in collaboration with Government of Punjab, Brick Kiln Owners Association of Pakistan (BKAOP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
In 2015, the National Institute of Oceanography warned that Karachi could be completely submerged by 2060 if the current trajectory of rising sea levels continues.
There is no doubt that making simple changes in our everyday lives can reduce our impact on the environment.
Currently, around 15% of Scotland’s carbon emissions come from gas boilers in our homes being used for heating and hot water. However, cutting down on your carbon emissions and energy usage is much easier than you think.
From minimising household waste to installing eco-friendly heating solutions, there are plenty of ways to help reduce your impact on the environment, and if you’re looking to make a long-term investment, a heat pump could significantly reduce your bills and your carbon footprint.
Richard McLaren from The Natural Energy Company in Fife, which is part of eco-heating brand Daikin UK’s Sustainable Home Network, shares six easy tips to help you become more sustainable:
Insulate and draught-proof your home
Insulation and draught-proofing your home are the most effective ways to save energy and costs, as your heating system will then need to use less energy to keep your home warm and cosy. You can stop cold air coming in and warm air escaping by using items draught excluders, which many high-street and online stores sell. Insulation of your home to as high a level as possible will result in lower bills and higher comfort levels.
Swap your light bulbs to LEDs
Old school incandescent bulbs use up a lot of energy and are no longer manufactured. Instead of buying old stock, why not try using energy-saving LED lightbulbs? They are the most energy-efficient bulbs and use 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. There is no need to worry about brightness – they are just as good as other bulbs and can even save you money on your energy bills.
Install a heat pump
Investing in a greener alternative to your oil or gas boiler, such as a heat pump, could significantly cut your heating bills and lower your carbon footprint. A well designed and skilfully installed heat pump system will save many tonnes of CO2 per year and is a fantastic way of reducing your carbon footprint.
Heat pumps are a well-established technology that can be installed efficiently and quickly into your home. Homeowners can also apply for an interest free loan through Home Energy Scotland to help with the installation of a heat pump, along with 75 per cent cashback to the value of £7,500, so now is the perfect time to consider switching to an eco-friendly alternative for heating.
Reducing water usage
Typically, the less hot water you use, the lower your energy bills will be. There are many ways to reduce your household usage such as installing a timer that turns off your electric water heater at night or when it’s not in use. Simple changes such as turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, repairing leaking pipes and doing a cold clothes wash, will all help reduce the amount of water and energy you’re using.
Consider eating less meat
Eating less meat is crucial for a healthy planet as meat production creates large quantities of greenhouse gases. Reducing meat and moving to a more plant based diet will make a positive contribution to combating climate change, and will reduce soil, air and ocean pollution.
Recycle, Refill and Reuse
The main benefit of recycling is that it saves energy by reducing or eliminating the need to make more materials from scratch. Brush up on your local council’s recycling rules and investigate local refill stations where you can refill your cleaning products and food containers, therefore removing any packaging or additional waste. Investigate eco alternatives to chemical based cleaning products which further harm the environment.
