Date: 23/12/2010

NHS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2011 - DELIVERING TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE

GovToday presents our second annual NHS Sustainable Development Conference and Exhibition Delivering Transformational Change, which will be held at Church House Conference Centre on 2nd February 2011.

NHS Sustainable Development 2011 - Delivering Transformational Change will examine progress to date in achieving the overall Sustainable Development strategy for the NHS - an all-encompassing remit, which takes into account social, environmental and economic development - the impact of both new policies initiated by the Coalition Government on this agenda and our commitment to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions under the Climate Change Act 2008.

This event will identify the progress to date and define the challenges moving forward, featuring those key individuals and partners at the forefront of shaping policy and best practice regarding this agenda.

The UK's deficit reduction and economic recovery remain at the heart of all current and future Government policy, with efficiency and cost reduction the order of the day. Sustainable Development and carbon reduction strategies are regarded as key drivers for achieving economic efficiency and recovery on the ground.

Prime Minister David Cameron has reaffirmed his commitment to this agenda:

"Further efficiencies can, and need to, be made from improving energy efficiency and developing more sustainable forms of delivery across the NHS, for example through working ... on carbon reduction programmes that reduce energy consumption and expenditure."

The new Coalition Government's promise of: greater transparency in regards to achieving progress on policy targets and performance in Government; the creation of the “greenest ever Government”; and a 10 per cent reduction in carbon emissions on the Government Estate by May 2011, has ensured that Sustainable Development policy remains at the forefront of the required transformational change ahead.

The NHS, as the largest single estate in Europe, employs 5 per cent of the UK workforce and still produces more than 21 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e)* per year – 3.2 per cent of carbon emissions and 25 per cent of public sector emissions in England – the largest public sector contributor to climate change. Moreover, despite increases in efficiency, the NHS has increased its carbon footprint by 40 per cent since 1990.

Overall carbon emissions from the NHS can be broken down as follows:

• Building Energy 24 per cent;
• Travel 17 per cent; and
• Procurement 59 per cent.

Take the fundamental premise of the NHS ‘first, seek to do no harm’, the legal obligations and reputational implications now set out by the Governmentand linked with delivery on our carbon reduction targets, together with the need for efficiency gains across the sector and you have a comprehensive formula for delivering a Sustainable NHS.

NHS Sustainable Development 2011 - Delivering Transformational Change will present both a forum for discussion and the dissemination of learning and best practice to date, providing a much-needed platform for defining the barriers to progress and the solutions moving forward.

Footnote*: CO2e refers to six greenhouse gases including CO2. Measuring NHS emissions in this way is not only line in with latest conventions but also means the six greenhouse gases can be compared on a like for like basis relative to one unit of CO2. This has meant that the NHS England carbon footprint appears to have risen from when it was first done.