The NHS faces an uphill battle to meet its ambitious net zero targets without urgent government intervention, according to a new report from The Health Foundation that outlines four critical policy priorities needed to green Britain's health service.
The independent charity's report, titled 'Policy levers for a net zero NHS: four priorities for the future', acknowledges the NHS has made progress but warns that a more strategic government approach is essential to accelerate decarbonisation efforts across the health service.
The first priority centres on embedding net zero considerations into every NHS decision, from purchasing medical equipment to designing patient care pathways. This means environmental impact must become a core factor in planning and operational choices throughout the health service. The second priority calls for sustained, long-term financial investment to support this transition - recognising that significant capital will be needed for infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy adoption and innovative green technologies.
The third area focuses on developing a comprehensive national strategy to green the NHS supply chain. Given that the health service's vast procurement of goods and services accounts for a substantial portion of its carbon footprint, the report suggests government intervention is needed to work with suppliers, encouraging or mandating more sustainable production methods and transparent emissions reporting.
Finally, the report emphasises the importance of empowering NHS staff to adopt sustainable practices in their daily roles. This includes providing training, resources and leadership that champions environmental responsibility - recognising that frontline workers are key to implementing changes across clinical and administrative functions.
The NHS has set legally binding targets to reach net zero by 2040 for emissions it directly controls, and by 2045 for its wider supply chain. These goals are vital not only for environmental protection but also for public health, given the significant health impacts of climate change. The Health Foundation argues that without these policy interventions, the NHS risks falling short of its climate commitments, calling for cross-government collaboration that moves beyond departmental silos to ensure broader government policy supports, rather than hinders, the health service's green agenda.