Private care sets emissions target
By Olive Carterton
Net zero emissions by 2035! That is the ambitious industry-wide pledge from over 40 providers across the independent healthcare sector in England.
Many more are expected to sign up to the aim in the next few months, according to the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN).
The pledge, announced ahead of the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow this month, covers 1,500 sites so far.
The commitment from independent healthcare providers builds on the NHS’s own target to achieve net zero by 2040.
To help support independent providers achieve this pan-industry climate change commitment, IHPN said it would continue to bring members together through its Climate Change group so knowledge and best practice could be shared.
Actions might include procuring electricity from renewable sources, investing in low carbon infrastructure such as LED lighting technology or new higher-efficiency boilers, and having a real focus on data so providers can monitor their carbon and utilities consumption.
IHPN chairman Lord Patel of Bradford said: ‘Climate change is undoubtedly the biggest long-term threat to the health of our nation and indeed the world.
He added: ‘It is therefore vital that healthcare providers not only treat the problems caused by pollution and climate change, but also play their part in tackling the root causes.
‘As a sector which delivers care to millions of patients every year, I’m thrilled that independent providers are uniting to help tackle
climate change and their commitment to achieve net zero by 2035 will make an important contribution in responding to this global emergency.’
IHPN chief executive David Hare said: ‘The independent health sector has rightly set an ambitious target to achieve net zero by 2035 and in the coming months and years IHPN will continue to support our members and share best practice – helping to play our part in making the UK a world leader in tackling climate change.’
Dr Nick Watts, NHS chief sustainability officer, said it was ‘fantastic’ to see independent healthcare providers aligning with the NHS target to be net zero.