Green initiatives saved NHS England over £5m, report finds

The bottom line to our prism, the business side of green, is triple-bottom line wins (for everyone, not just business).   Here's a great example of reducing burden to the environment and adding significant cash flow to the bottom line:



Green vehicles, energy efficiency and smart waste management help health service slash carbon and save cash

The NHS has saved more than £5m through taking a variety of sustainable measures, according to a new report released today from the NHS Sustainability Day campaign.

The report rounds up submissions of financial and carbon savings from hospitals and NHS Trusts across England, achieved through a range of initiatives from energy efficiency measures through to waste management and the uptake of low carbon vehicles.

otal reported savings, made over a 12-18 month period depending on the hospital, reached £5.5m, with a reported reduction in carbon emissions of 35,000 tonnes. However, real savings are likely to be far higher, since by no means all hospitals reported to the campaign.

The report highlights several key case studies, such as savings of up to £20,000 made by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust through the adoption of electric vehicles. 

Meanwhile Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust reported savings of more than £218,000 per year, thanks to energy efficiency initiatives used for frontline patient services.

"There has never been a more important time for the NHS to ensure a financially, socially and environmentally sustainable future," said Scott Buckler, sustainability day campaign manager for the NHS, in a statement.

"The huge financial challenge the NHS is currently facing requires new forms of thought leadership and innovation. Much of the savings highlighted in the report are being utilised on frontline services. This is clear evidence that the government should and must be investing in a low carbon NHS fit for the future."