SUSTAINABILITY WITHIN OUR NHS – WHAT WILL HELP REACH NET ZERO BY 2050?

The goal set by the Paris Agreement is to keep the average global temperature rise to 1.5°C over the long term. This goal is consistent with efforts to reduce global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to net zero by 2050. Worldwide action now requires nothing less than a radical change in the way we generate, move, and use energy.

The NHS remains a national treasure since 1948, providing healthcare to millions of people every year. There are ongoing efforts to adapt to new technologies, such as wind power and commercial heat pumps. And with these efforts comes many challenges ahead for the NHS.

One of these challenges is sustainability: how can we make sure that our hospitals and trusts have enough sustainable greener power and heat, even where resources are limited?

The NHS can save £250 million by 2050.

Healthcare facilities will achieve this savings amount by using less energy, water, and materials while producing less waste and less carbon throughout all their buildings across the UK.

The NHS is an expansive organisation, with over 2000 hospitals across England alone and spends about £500 million on electricity each year. According to estimates from BRE, the NHS uses energy that contributes to about 4 million tonnes of CO2 nationwide in the UK, or about 22% of the NHS’ overall carbon impact.

Heat pumps can save costs and reduce energy consumption by transferring heat from a cooler source into a warmer one (such as air). The result is that less energy is needed to maintain a comfortable and consistent temperature in the building. This brings benefits for both staff working there and patients being treated within it.

Since CO2 heat pumps are air source heat pumps, they are simpler to install, more affordable, and capable of producing high temperatures with high efficiency.

Heat pumps, when connected to a low-carbon, off-grid or net metering tariff, can be three times as efficient as boilers and produce zero carbon emissions. More NHS facilities can use commercial heat pumps alongside solar panels and wind turbines to provide clean energy to NHS premises.

NHS Hospitals will benefit in multiple ways from installing a heat pump in their premises, and will contribute to:

• Reduced Energy Bills

• Improved Local Air Quality

Tim Rook – Chartered Engineer at Clade Engineering, says: “The NHS uses enormous quantities of heat and hot water to provide safe and effective healthcare for patients, contributing to around 22% of our UK carbon footprint. Currently this is generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, a high cost and high carbon activity. Heat pumps are the only scalable, available and viable low carbon heat generation technology. CO2 heat pumps can generate very high temperatures suitable for hospitals where cleanliness and hygiene are of vital importance, and are low carbon and sustainable. We would use our Oak range of heat pumps which are high spec for Hospitals. They have high quality components designed for long life and efficient performance as well as full data access to our digital services.”

An engineer determining the appropriate heat pump for a hospital would first conduct a feasibility study, which includes assessing factors such as space, noise, power supply, and suitability. This study would progress to the design and installation stages, with correct commissioning and servicing being crucial to ensuring the system’s long-term success. During the first year of operation, the heat pump is optimised to perform in all conditions, with engineering support being essential.

Typically, heat pumps are installed in car parks or open spaces around the hospital building or on the roof, where they require adequate air flow to function properly. The hot water generated is then piped into the existing boiler location and distributed from there. The heating system may require some modifications to enhance efficiency, and a power supply is also required, which can be obtained from the nearest supply or sub-supply location.

The climate crisis poses a threat not only to the environment but also to human health. Protecting the ecosystem is, therefore, linked to good health.

Scotland’s NHS target is net zero by 2045. Wales’ NHS has agreed to a 34% cut by 2030 to achieve a larger objective of a net zero public sector by that year. In Northern Ireland, a target date and expected reduction is yet to be known as of the date of this article.

Between 1990 and 2020, the health and social care system in England cut its carbon footprint by 62%. Between 2010 and 2017, it decreased its water footprint by 21%.

Across the NHS, there are many notable achievements towards the reduction of carbon emissions.

Trusts are actively trying to improve the energy efficiency of their structures. The Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) NHS Trust uses renewable energy to power its structures. Over the next three years, it plans to add solar panels and heat pumps to three of them.

A Greener NHS is the national initiative of the NHS with the goal of combating climate change. Its priority is establishing the NHS as the first Net Zero carbon neutral health service in the world. There are many chances for advancement as the largest employer in the nation and the source of 4% of England’s total carbon emissions.

Across NHS estates and facilities, more green plans are progressing the organisation’s strategy to hit energy reduction targets. This means an ongoing commitment to supporting programmes that reduce carbon emissions. More advanced management systems and energy-efficient appliances could cut energy use by about 40%. Switching gas boilers over to electric heat pumps increases productivity and utilises a lower-carbon energy source.

• Waste reduction initiatives, such as limiting the use of singleuse consumables, and water efficiency projects, decreasing emissions from solid refuse, and reduction in wastewater.

• MDI and anaesthetic gas emission reduction to reduce health care emissions from high-carbon medicines. Reducing overall demand for products and services to cut back on supply chain emissions (drug wastage or refurbishing devices) i.e. going green by making the switch from disposables to reusables.

• Using technologies to reduce the use of plastic in medicines.

• A change to low-carbon products and services by distribution of plant-based meals, and low-carbon data services.

• For transportation: The NHS cycle to work scheme, the gradual introduction of electric ambulances, and other NHS vehicles. By lowering local air pollution, reducing auto accidents, and boosting physical exercise, these interventions will also improve health. This can extend to delivering care to patients closer to home rather than sending them away for treatment, e.g. virtual appointments and home visits.

While quite ambitious targets for Net Zero by 2050, all plans are realistic journeys. With prompt action and consistent evaluations and monitoring, the NHS can be the world’s first Net Zero health organisation. The two top targets on emissions for the NHS:

• A target to get to an 80% reduction in emissions by 2028 to 2032 for emissions directly from the NHS.

• A target of an 80% reduction in emissions that the NHS influences by 2026 to 2039.

The right questions are being asked now, not later. What energy sources are more efficient than boilers? How can we save money on fuel costs? How can we reduce plastic, waste and air pollution? The NHS will continue to reduce costs and make our hospitals more ecofriendly, and Commercial Heat Pumps are one of the significant factors in reducing our carbon footprint through renewable energy. We have a long way to go, so we should all be playing our part in creating a more sustainable future, starting with our NHS. https://clade-es.com/