Estates and Facilities

The majority of the carbon emissions included in the 2040 target come from the NHS buildings.  For new buildings compliance with the NHS Net Zero Building standard is required.  The Estates Net Zero Carbon Delivery plan applies to existing buildings.

KGH has occupied the same site at the edge of Kettering since 1895.  The site has a mix of buildings ranging in age from the 1970s to the present day.  Most of the clinical services are provided at this site.  The age of the buildings along with the confined nature of both internal and external infrastructure place a strain on the capital monies available, which also must pay for compliance, asbestos and fire related works.  All services within the Estates and Facilities departments are carried out by KGH employees and the site is fully owned by KGH.

Carbon emissions from energy, water, waste and f-gases are included in the 2040 net zero emissions targets.  All other purchases to build and maintain buildings, as well as provide catering, domestic and portering services are included in the 2045 net zero target.

The NHS Net Zero Buildings Strategy and Clinical Waste Strategy also inform the content of this section of the Sustainability Plan.

Where we are now:

The Trust has started the work on a new energy centre which will replace the expired steam distribution system with a low temperature hot water district heating network.  At the same time the electrical systems will be upgraded which will facilitate the transition to fossil fuel free heating and electric vehicles.   This work is expected to reduce the carbon emissions from buildings by 41% by 2028.  

To date emissions from buildings have remained approximately static, as shown in Figure 1

Figure 1 Carbon emissions from buildings

Figure 1 Carbon emissions from buildings

The Trust also commissioned a decarbonisation plan during 2023 in order to determine the options for the remaining emissions from buildings.  Within the plan were the next steps available and potential routes for funding as this would not be covered by the standard capital monies allocated.  

Clinical waste segregation has moved towards the 2026 target, with 60% now moved into the offensive waste stream, partially meeting the NHS target, with 25% in the incineration waste stream and 15% in the orange bag (alternative treatment) waste stream.   See Figure 2 below. The Trust has facilities to recycle card, batteries, metal and food as separate waste streams, and has implemented dry mixed recycling in most areas across the site with 150 new bins installed in 2025.  The Trust has a dedicated Waste Officer. 

Figure 2 Clinical Waste Segregation

Figure  2 Clinical Waste Segregation

Our aims are to:

  • Reduce carbon emissions from buildings by 41% with the completion of the new energy centre
  • Reduce electrical and heating demand through optimisation the Building Management system
  • Increase understanding
  • Achieve the NHS segregation targets with 20% of waste in the infectious waste stream
  • Increase trust recycling levels to above 50% of non-clinical waste
  • Reduce emissions from waste by 50%
  • Reduce overall waste levels by 25%
  • Reduce water consumption by 10%
  • Make reuse rather than purchase the default option
  • Create a biodiversity strategy for the site

Action Plan

Action

Financial Investment

When

Responsible Department
Write full costed heat decarbonisation plan for the site Medium 2026 Estates
Develop a fully costed plan to install renewable energy technologies and battery storage Medium 2026 Estates
Review BMS Settings against occupancy Low 2026 Estates
Implement minimum refurbishment standards from the carbon management plan Medium 2026 Estates
Ensure Sustainability Impact Assessments are included in all capital projects Low 2025 Estates
Write a demand reduction plan for water, electricity and heat Low 2027 Sustainability
Remove the highest Global Warming Potential gases from air conditioning equipment Medium 2027 Estates
Create an energy policy Low 2026 Sustainability
Replace belt driven fans with EC fans Medium 2027 Estates
Replace petrol gardening equipment with electric Medium 2027 Estates
Create a biodiversity strategy for the site Low 2026 Sustainability
Install low water use toilets in areas of high use Medium 2027 Estates
Introduce WarpIt for reuse of items Low 2026 Waste / Sustainability
Create a repair shop for small repairs to put equipment back into circulation Low 2026 Waste
Include requirements for take back of electrical equipment within procurement contracts Low 2026 Procurement
Create online training content for waste segregation Low 2025 Waste
Review methodologies for calculation of waste emission figures and calculate accurate figure Low 2025 Waste

Measurement

Energy and water consumption figures from invoices
Waste weights from invoices
Reuse data from online reuse platform
Purchasing data from procurement
f-gas register