Investment in new buildings, better equipment and energy-efficiency measures in the NHS in Wales is improving the environment by cutting carbon emissions, Health Minister Edwina Hart said today.
An independent study commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government to determine the carbon footprint of the NHS in Wales looked at three main areas – energy use in buildings, emissions related to patient and staff travel and transport, and emissions related to goods and services used by the NHS.
The Stockholm Environment Institute study found that the carbon footprint of the NHS in Wales was seven per cent smaller in 2009 than in 2005.
The report found the NHS Wales carbon footprint in 2009 was equivalent to 828,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, 61,000 tonnes less than in 2005.
The emissions related to the production of goods and services used by the NHS accounted for 38 per cent of the total, with 34 per cent coming from building energy use and 28 per cent from travel and transport.
Natural gas consumption accounted for the largest individual contribution to the carbon footprint – at 21 per cent or 117,000 tonnes followed by patients travel at 12 per cent or 96,000 tonnes and electricity consumption at 11 per cent or 91,000 tonnes.
A separate annual report from Welsh Health Estates – Estates Condition and Performance Report – shows that for 2009-10:
- Weather-corrected net energy consumption is now 17 per cent below the 1999-2000 base year, indicating a continuing downward trend;
- The total amount of electricity generated by combined heating and power units rose from 8.86 per cent of total electricity requirements in 2008-9 to 15.7 per cent in 2009-10. This was mainly due to the commissioning of new and larger capacity systems during the year. These, along with the resolution of maintenance problems on some sites, are expected to deliver significant increases in combined heating and power unit output during the 2010 -11;
- There was a 21 per cent improvement in NHS energy efficiency since 1999-2000;
- Four per cent less waste was being sent to landfill in 2009-10 compared with 2008-09, a reduction of 14.5 per cent below 1999-2000 base year;
- There has been a 21 per cent improvement in NHS energy efficiency since 1999-2000;
- * Although there was an increase of 4.2 per cent in water consumption, consumption is now 11 per cent lower than 2000; and
- A £3million Assembly Government fund has supported 123 NHS schemes including installation of low energy external LED lighting, highly efficient condensing boilers, improved insulation, improved internal lighting controls and movement sensors and these will result in savings of 12,800 tonnes.
Speaking at the start of Climate Change Week, Edwina Hart said:
“These reports show our commitment to playing our part in tackling climate change.
“While we have done a great deal, we know we must do more. The carbon footprint report will help us develop a carbon reduction strategy for the NHS in Wales.
“This report, along with the report from Welsh Health Estates, shows that the significant investment by the Assembly Government in new NHS buildings and equipment is not only improving patient care and the work environment for staff, but helping the environment too.
“This strategy will focus on reducing the top emissions categories, including the procurement of goods and services.
“All new hospitals are required to meet strict environmental performance standards and as these open we should see further reductions in the carbon footprint of NHS Wales. I am pleased about the seven per cent reduction in the carbon footprint of the NHS in Wales since 2005, but we need to go further, to contribute to the Assembly Government’s target of a three per cent reduction year-on-year in greenhouse gas emissions.
”Being more energy efficient is not only good for the environment, but also helps to reduce costs and save money.”
