Our Green Plan, one year on

On the 18 March the trust marks the first year anniversary since the launch of its Green plan, which is also Global recycling day. Over the last year we have made tremendous progress to meet the sustainability aims set out in our green plan, which are to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040. 

The green plan has seven steps to sustainability – transport, energy, waste, people, investment, digital and buildings, below is an update on the progress made so far. 

Transport 

• Purchase and use of 3 electric vehicles 
• Purchase and use of 6 e-bikes for staff to use for work related transport
• The opening of new bicycle shelters across our sites for staff that cycle to work 
• Installation of 6 new electric vehicle charging points at St Bernard’s and 10 at Broadmoor.
• Cycling volunteer leads to support our staff cycling to work.

Energy 

•  From January 2023 work commenced to upgrade 1000 lamps to low energy LEDs lamps 

Waste 

• Our waste policy has been updated to reflect our new clinical waste and recycling targets to hit our net zero goals.
• We have reviewed patient inhalers with our pharmacy team and are considering a reduced carbon emission option.
• A review to reuse walking aids is underway led by our Quality Improvement team
• The launch of the Marketplace - an upcycling initiative for staff to buy and sell goods.

People 

• A Trust Wide Sustainability Development Committee with representatives from all departments has been established, to progress and review our sustainability goals chaired by a Non- Executive board member. The network exists to offer shared learning on sustainable practices along with expert matter trends. 
• Restricted the purchase of new cars through the salary sacrifice scheme to cars that pollute 75g/km CO2 or less.
• Green champions network, led by our staff to promote greener practices within the workplace through shared learning. 
• Monthly patient sustainability forums. 
• Soil association – Bronze award accreditation awarded to OCS our core catering supplier adding to our sustainable steps for a farm to fork service. 
• Sustainable supply chain relationships in the NHS –OCS partnership developed a Kitchen gardens initiative to provide our patient community healthier food options. 
• One of fourteen ‘exemplary trust’s that work with NHS England and NHS catering to share good practice, case studies and data. We had the opportunity to be one of the first sites to experience catering innovation using Quorn products as meat substitutes.

Investment 

• New contracts exceeding £5m to have a carbon reduction plan 

Digital 

•  Launch of Ecosia, an eco-friendly search engine. 
•  Implemented agile working supported with office and IT upgrades. 

Buildings 

• Completing the first stage of our Heat Decarbonisation Plan with Carbon Architecture. 

Meet our Green Champions 

Our staff are leading the way to champion sustainable practices within their work place. We have lots to be proud of but still have a long way to go #playyourpart