FOI – 000053 EDF and TotalEnergy Contracts (HTML)

Date received – 14 Oct 2021 | Date responded - 08 Apr 2022

Request

I am a GP in Easterhouse Health Centre Glasgow

I am concerned about the greatest health challenge ever facing our planet, the climate and nature crises.

I am weary working through the pandemic, dealing with Covid 19 problems much caused by political decisions and being asked to shoulder the responsibility for managing climate emergency created by those in power still relying on and procuring damaging fossil fuels.

I am concerned to see that you have extended the contract for EDF for another 18 months.

I see that BT have switched to 100% renewable electricity... NHS Scotland must follow suit and switch away from the nuclear solution that EDF provides wherein we are reliant on nonrenewable energy produced in England by French business in power stations controlled by China. I note EDFs main recorded achievements in carbon reduction were in getting staff to recycle and switch transport mode, This is very much tinkering at the edges, ..it.sounds familiar here, chimes with the response I got when asking for a renewable energy supplier for Lochend Surgery. I was told to switch of PCs and lights at night. Which of course I can and will do but you will be aware GPs are working long days with equipment switched on so that is , again, just tinkering at the edges. How can you possibly justify not using a renewable supplier when we are faced with such costly damage from climate change in so few years?

I was concerned to see that NHS scotland gas supplier Totalenergies have been extended until March 2022, The company is still only saying they are "working to reduce" carbon emissions and to "identify strategies" on technologies . That they still believe gas is a key component and are "stepping up" electricity production from gas. Still just recognising that oil use "could be reduced by 2040" , not should be or must be as UN is saying. They are still relying on underdeveloped carbon storage and advocate discredited carbon pricing as the way forward.

THis is so worrying as change away from all fossil fuels is needed now to give hope of the even 2degree Paris target let alone 1.5 really needed to leave the planet in any sort of fit state for our children and avoid death and destruction.

Please reassure me we can get out of the planet and health damaging contracts asap, ideally as a positive response to COP26.

Response

I can advise you that we have now completed the search of our records and can provide you with the following information:

Under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act an organisation is not required to provide information if it does not hold that information. The Gas and Electricity frameworks are prepared by Scottish Procurement on behalf of Scottish Government for all of the Public Sector devolved administrations across the whole of Scotland, including NHSScotland.

Requests for information or concerns regarding the requirements of these frameworks should be directed to Scottish Procurement. I would recommend you contact Scottish Government who will be able to assist you with this at foi@gov.scot.

I trust you will find the information of assistance and if you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Address

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