New energy technology crucial to carbon reduction targets

A new report has suggested that the healthcare sector could reduce annual carbon emissions by 16 per cent and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by the equivalent of 8.8 million tonnes by 2030 through the adoption of new energy technology.

The Powering Sustainability Report, published by Centrica Business Solutions, shows how new energy technology can help the NHS meet its carbon reduction targets, enabling the sector to meet around half of the carbon reduction target as set out in the Sustainable Development Strategy, which aims for a 34 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2020/21.

Exploring the potential that distributed energy technology, such as LED and combined heat and power, could have in reducing the environmental impact of the healthcare sector, the report claims that if just half of public sector healthcare organisations in the UK adopted distributed energy technology, the sector could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 483,000 tonnes a year, or the equivalent of 8.8 million tonnes by 2030. Centrica reports that this is equal to the annual carbon emissions of 156,000 homes.

Alan Barlow, UK and Ireland director at Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Based on current rates of reduction, the NHS needs to accelerate its efforts to bring down emissions if it is to meet its 2020 targets, showing just how much pressure the healthcare sector is under to bring down carbon production. At the same time, cost pressures often make it difficult for organisations to invest in new technology – modern energy systems are no exception.

“Distributed energy technology offers a solution to this problem. Finance options mean they can often be installed for little or no upfront cost and energy efficient systems like solar and energy efficient lighting provide guaranteed emissions reductions and savings on energy bills.”