How NSS is working towards Net Zero

Did you know NHSScotland Assure has two dedicated sustainability teams supporting the NHSScotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy (2022 – 2026)?

1. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environment team: Programme: Collaborates with Scottish Government and other partners to provide sustainability advice and support to health boards across Scotland, as part of the NHSScotland Sustainability Action Programme.

2. NSS Sustainability Team: Ensures NSS meets its own climate sustainability targets and responsibilities.

During Scotland’s Climate Week, we spoke with Julie Critchley, Director of NHSScotland Assure, about their sustainability efforts and how they support NHSScotland’s goal to become a net zero organisation by 2040.

Julie explained, “Net zero means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. We need to find new, sustainable ways of doing things.”

Achieving Net Zero

Julie highlighted that achieving net zero requires an organisational shift. “At NSS, we’ve integrated climate sustainability into our corporate objectives and governance. Every decision considers its impact on sustainability. Decisions in NSS have a national impact, whether that be through our supply chains, built environment expertise, or in the provision of our digital infrastructure."

Julie says, “It’s about more than just recycling, it’s about how we operate. Using the United Nations Sustainable Development goals helps us focus on our objectives.”

Collaborating with health boards

The Climate Change, Sustainability and Environment team supports the NHSScotland Sustainability Action Programme, helping health boards reach their sustainability milestones. The team is made up of colleagues who bring a diverse range of expertise to the NHS, including transport and active travel, waste, adaptation, energy, environmental management, and greenspace and biodiversity.

Julie noted, “One of the areas we advise health boards on biodiversity and creating nature-friendly spaces, which improve patient health. Significant refurbishments focus on outdoor access for patients as allowing patients to access outside space has been shown to improve their mental and physical health.”

She continued, “Here in NSS, our NSS Sustainability Team has also enhanced our own greenspaces with a big drive to invest in greater biodiversity. In addition, our team have been supporting the transition towards an electric vehicle (EV) fleet through further EV charging points, renewing our staff cycle to work scheme, and increasing bike storage across our estate.”

Julie concluded, “It’s a holistic approach, benefiting the environment, our staff both present and future, and our partners.” Click to view the NSS Environmental and Sustainability strategy and the NHS Scotland sustainability strategy.