NHS failing to do enough to tackle harmful emissions

The Environmental Audit Committee is concerned that the government is failing properly to tackle climate change within its largest carbon emitter – the NHS.

Decarbonising sites is paramount if the government is to meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with the NHS missing the Climate Change Act target of a reduction in emissions of 34 per cent by 2020.

In September 2019, MPs within the Environmental Audit Committee urged the government to end coal and oil powered heating at NHS sites and to take action on fluorinated gases. While the committee welcomed that work is being undertaken to decarbonise NHS sites, some more so than others, the government failed to provide any firm commitments to bring forwards targets to phase out oil and coal.

MPs are also concerned that there are no assurances from government that climate resilience and adaptation is being incorporated into performance indicators.

Philip Dunne, chair of the committee, said: “The NHS is important to so many of us throughout the UK, and has been particularly evident during the magnificent response of all its staff to the global pandemic. As we get closer to 2050, and the necessity to reach net-zero carbon emissions, we cannot be complacent of the significant role the NHS will play. It must decarbonise its estates urgently, it must phase out oil and gas heating, and must make better use of zero emission vehicles.

“The committee’s inquiry was clear that unless urgent action is taken to tackle climate change, there could be significant consequences for human health and food security. It is imperative that these issues are considered carefully by the government, and the committee will continue to monitor work in this area.”