NHS is Set to Open Its First Fully Carbon Neutral Facility Leading the Way for Future Net Zero Builds

Later this year the NHS will get its first carbon neutral centre. The new National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), managed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is on the verge of becoming the NHS’s first fully operational carbon-neutral building. This landmark facility incorporates the health service’s ambitious climate goals as it goes all out to reach the net zero emissions target by 2040.

Set within the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate between Nottingham and Loughborough, the NRC is a flagship project under the new Hospital Programme. The NRC is poised to become a game-changer for not only rehabilitation expertise, training and research but also the climate. 

The NRC building is all-electric, fitted with 900 square metres of solar panels and powered by three air source heat pumps. Designed to a cutting-edge NHS energy efficiency standard it is expected to generate 10% of its own power both reducing emissions and energy bills. 

The NRC will be able to treat up to 750 patients a year recovering from serious injury, trauma or illness, while also showcasing what a truly green hospital can look like. The NRC offers a strong vision for how future NHS facilities can help reach net zero targets without compromising care. 

The NRC’s green credentials and creative strategy earned it a highlight spot during Great Big Green Week which is the UK’s largest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. The event attracts communities, schools, businesses, churches, mosques and more to come together to support action for protecting the planet. 

The NRC presents a big jump forward for both healthcare sustainability and patient care in every way. 

Miriam Duffy, director of the National Rehabilitation Centre, said: 

“Not only will the NRC sit at the heart of rehabilitation treatment in the UK, we hope it can also serve as a model for future net zero builds from the NHS and across the UK, reducing both emissions and bills. 
Backed by the New Hospitals Programme, the NRC brings treatment, training and research under one roof for the first time and is set to spearhead a national ‘hub and spoke’ model of rehabilitation. I hope this project will be a source of great pride to everyone at the Trust and the communities we serve, and its successful completion stands as a testament to all of the hard work and innovation invested to make it a success.”

Earlier in the year NHS Property Services (NHSPS) revealed their latest Green Plan to achieve net zero by 2040. The NRC is an excellent example of the NHSPS working towards fulfilling this mission. 

The new Green Plan is a comprehensive three-year strategy aimed at reducing the environmental impact of NHS facilities by focusing on four key areas, Energy, Utilities and Data, Environment and Waste. This initiative is aligned with the broader NHS goals to create smarter, greener and more efficient healthcare facilities that provide exceptional and sustainable patient care.

Since the last Green Plan was launched in 2022, NHSPS has come a long way with implementing significant sustainability measures. Here are some of their achievements:

• £47.8 million saved on energy and utilities since 2022/23.
• A 48% reduction in carbon emissions since the 2017/18 baseline.
• Completion of 960 sustainability-related projects, including LED lighting upgrades, Building Management System (BMS) optimisation, and Solar PV installations.
• Reduction of customer carbon emissions through the NHSE clinical waste strategy.
• Flood risk assessments at 16 high-risk climate adaptation pilot sites.

Cameron Hawkins, Head of Energy and Environment at NHSPS, said: 

“We are really proud of what the previous Green Plan delivered, from the 48% reduction in carbon emissions to the £47.8 million we saved on energy. We are now even more ambitious to contribute towards a net zero NHS with a smarter, greener and more efficient estate.” 

The new Green Plan focuses on four key areas each of which has specific goals, steps and measures to ensure progress. Here are the four key areas:

Energy: The goal is to achieve net zero carbon by 2040. To measure progress, the key performance indicator (KPI) is to complete 90 decarbonisation projects over the next three years. To achieve this the NHSPS will employ a strategy which focuses on reducing emissions at the top 100 emitting sites, supports zero emissions transport, and enhances energy efficiency. The NHSPS will demonstrate their commitment through initiatives such as piloting a toolkit with GPs to save energy in their practices.

Utilities and Data: The goal is to help NHSPS colleagues and customers use data to reduce utilities costs, carbon emissions, and environmental impact. measure progress, the key performance indicator (KPI) is to double the amount of data accessible to customers. To achieve this the NHSPS will employ a strategy that improves carbon reporting, enhances data sharing and provides analysis to help stakeholders reduce their environmental impact.

Environment:  The NHSPS’s goal is to continuously improve their environmental impact and meet compliance obligations. To measure progress, the key performance indicator (KPI) is to complete audits at 132 higher-risk sites. To achieve this the NHSPS will employ a strategy that involves embedding processes to improve climate resilience, boost biodiversity, and develop sustainable travel and buying strategies. 

Waste: The goal is to reach the NHS England waste segregation target of 20% incineration, 20% infectious waste, and 60% offensive waste. To measure progress, the key performance indicator (KPI) is to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions from waste management by 2026. To achieve this the NHSPS will employ a strategy that involves aligning services with the NHS clinical waste strategy, implementing correct waste streams, and increasing waste segregation to reduce costs and lower carbon emission.

Climate change has been widely recognised as one of the greatest threats to public health globally and nationally. As owners of 10% of the NHS estate, NHSPS play a key role in reducing emissions, helping the NHS adapt to climate change and building healthier communities.