Local health leaders commit to a greener future

Healthcare leaders across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have unveiled bold new commitments to reduce the environmental impact of local NHS services and build a more sustainable future for the communities they serve.

Healthcare in England is estimated to contribute between 4% and 5% of national carbon emissions, and around 40% of all emissions generated by the public sector. With this in mind, local NHS organisations are taking collective action to reduce their footprint and improve long-term health outcomes.

Launching today, on World Sustainability Day (29 October 2025), the local NHS green plans outline how the county’s largest employment sector will take practical steps to protect both the planet and public health for future generations. The plans include a wide range of initiatives, from improving energy efficiency, recycling and reducing plastic use, to cutting travel-related emissions, expanding green spaces and optimising supply chains.

Simon Whitehouse, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “The NHS has a clear responsibility to minimise its environmental impact. Building a more sustainable health system not only benefits the planet, it also helps us deliver better, more efficient patient care and safeguard services for the future.

“Our plans set out how we will continue to embed sustainability into everything we do, reducing carbon emissions while adopting smarter, more efficient clinical practices that eliminate unnecessary waste.”

Vanessa Whatley, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, added: “Environmental conditions have a direct impact on people’s health. By reducing our carbon footprint and adopting more sustainable ways of working, we can help tackle health inequalities linked to our environment.”

Stacey Keegan, Chief Executive of The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH), said: “As healthcare professionals, we see first-hand the profound connection between the health of our people and the health of our planet.

“We have an ambitious Green Plan at RJAH which reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality care in a way that protects and preserves the environment for future generations. Sustainability is not just an environmental imperative - it is a clinical one, and we are proud to lead the way in embedding it into the heart of our services, culture, and values.”

Inese Robotham, Assistant Chief Executive and Chair of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust Climate Change Group, said: “Major investment in green projects aligns with our vision of sustainable health services and more modern facilities that will improve the experience of our patients and colleagues.

“The projects will deliver significant reductions in our energy costs, and savings can then be redirected into frontline care. Once our plans are complete, it could save an estimated £1m a year in energy costs and will reduce emissions by over 3,000 tonnes of carbon each year.”

Sarah Lloyd, Director of Finance, Digital and Estates at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, said: “Embedding sustainability into our estates and digital infrastructure is not just an environmental priority, it’s a strategic investment in the future of healthcare. Through the green plan, we’re ensuring that every decision we make, from energy use to procurement, supports a healthier planet and a more resilient NHS for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.”

In 2020, the NHS became the first healthcare system in the world to commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions, recognising that climate change is not a distant threat, but a current and pressing health challenge.

Recent data from the national report “Five Years of a Greener NHS: Progress and Forward Look” shows that NHS Carbon Footprint emissions have already fallen by 14% since the publication of the net zero strategy, and by more than 68% since 1990 - a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the scale of progress and commitment across the health service.

To read the local healthcare system’s Greener NHS Plan, go to https://www.shropshiretelfordandwrekin.nhs.uk/about-us/our-strategies/