Climate change poses a major threat to our health and wellbeing, as well as our planet. Communities on the Isle of Wight and in Portsmouth face particular risks, including rising sea levels, coastal erosion, more frequent heatwaves and poor air quality, which put vulnerable populations at greater risk.  We recognise that we have the responsibility to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint and our environmental impact to deliver sustainable healthcare services now and in the future. 

The NHS has set itself the challenge of becoming the world’s first Net Zero carbon healthcare system and has set ambitious targets for reductions in carbon emissions. The NHS accounts for an estimated 5% of the national carbon footprint and NHS trusts across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight region emit over 1 million tonnes of CO2e of which our Trust accounts for over 10%. 

Our Green Plan 

In 2022, our Trust published our first Green Plan, now, in 2025, we have worked together with the Isle of Wight Trust to produce a joint Green Plan setting out actions we commit to take over the next three years (to 2028) in pursuit of our goals. 

We have an ambitious agenda that means transforming what we do and the way we do it. It includes steps to minimise our future impact (known as mitigation) and steps to manage the impact of climate change on our existing services (known as adaptation).  This includes how patients access services, as well as decisions about what products we buy, as well as more traditional things like solar panel installation and LED lighting. It also involves encouraging sustainable travel options for staff, visitors, and patients – you can read more about this here. 

You will find examples of what we have achieved within the pages of the new plan.  We recognise that there is a lot we can and must do.  Our Trust Annual Report also provides further updates on what we have achieved to date.  

We want to set a strong example for the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire communities that we serve.  We will seek to positively influence the organisations that we work with and alongside including local partners:  the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council and other NHS bodies to deliver on this important agenda. 

LED lighting programme 

PHU and our PFI provider has replaced over 22,000 existing tungsten, halogen and fluorescent lighting with modern LED alternatives. This is reducing our energy demand and saving 1,171 Tonnes CO2e – around 7% of our existing emissions and means 95% of our lighting is now LED. 

Biodiversity 

In 2023 we took part in No Mow May to encourage the wild plants on our sites to flower, attracting pollinating insects and other wildlife. We have produced a greening strategy to help identify opportunities to improve biodiversity on the Queen Alexandra Hospital site. This includes wildflower planning along with bat, bird, and bee boxes. 

Electrical power 

Our new Emergency Department which opened in November 2024 incorporates 127kW of solar panels and all systems such as heating, cooling and ventilation will be powered by electric. The scheme is BREEAM excellent rated. 

Electronic forms 

By increasing our use of digital forms and records, we are helping create a safer environment for staff and patients, as well as reducing the amount of printing and paper used. We are just starting an ambitious project to digitise all patient records and are moving towards a fully electronic patient record. 

Sustainable travel 

We have 20 electric vehicle charging points across our sites so far with plans for more.  We support the regional e-scooter and e-bike rental scheme operated by Voi at our Queen Alexandra Hospital site. Bus connections are excellent with incentives in place for staff to travel by bus. 

Medicines 

We have taken action to stop the use of the anaesthetic gas Desflurane which has reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 300 tonnes of CO2e per year. Our clinicians are also encouraging patients to switch to dry powder inhalers for treating their asthma with 12% having made the switch so far.  

Walking aid recycling scheme 

To help reduce the amount of walking aids ending up in landfill, the Therapies and Sustainability teams at PHU launched three new walking aid recycling points at Queen Alexandra Hospital. Patients and visitors can return items including crutches, walking frames and metal walking sticks so they can be checked, cleaned and redistributed. By reusing an item, carbon emissions reduce on average by 98% when compared to using a new walking aid. Find out more here. 

 

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the Sustainability Team by email pho-tr.sustainabilityteam@nhs.net ​​​​​​​