Background

In 2015, The Lancet reported that Climate Change was the biggest threat and the biggest opportunity for human health of the 21st Century – threatening to undo 50 years of positive public health achievements.  Since that point extreme weather events have increased, and we have had 24 months above the 1.5oC target agreed in Paris that year.  In the most recent Lancet Countdown report published in 2024 it was noted that ‘of the 15 indicators monitoring the health hazards, exposures and impacts of climate change 10 reached a concerning new record in the latest year of data’.

Other concerns highlighted in the Lancet report include:
•    Heat related deaths in 2023 were 167% higher than in 1990-99
•    Heat exposure resulted in an estimated loss of 512 billion hours of labour in 2023
•    Increased heatwaves and droughts led to 151 million people experiencing food insecurity
•    Extreme rainfall hit more areas than ever before increasing the risk of landslides, floods, disease transmission and threatening food and water security.

In 2023 the UK Government published its latest Health Effects of Climate Change report in which it noted that the potential impacts of climate change on health in the UK will be significant and wide ranging due to:
•    Heat and cold
•    Flooding
•    Vector borne diseases
•    Food imports and increased prices
•    Exposure to wildfire and droughts

The Fourth Health and Climate Adaptation Report was published in March 2025.  This stated that all areas of the UK had experienced warmer summers and milder winters, with more frequent and severe floods and heatwaves.

The heatwave of summer 2022 saw temperatures above 40oC for the first time and heat associated mortality in England of 2,985.  This is expected to rise to over 10,000 per year by the 2050s without adaptation or decarbonisation efforts.

Climate change will disproportionately impact 
•    Older adults
•    Those with a physical or mental health condition
•    Children
•    Individuals with disabilities
•    People experiencing deprivation or homelessness
•    Those in settings such as prisons, schools, and social care settings

The NHS has been actively working to reduce its carbon footprint and reduce its overall negative impact since 2009.  However, the NHS is responsible for over 5% of UK carbon emissions, uses more single use plastic than any other sector, creating 133,000 tonnes of plastic waste.  In addition, 5% of travel in England is related to the NHS, which adds over 7,000 tonnes of NOx (Nitrous Oxides) and 330 tonnes of PM2.5 (particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller) pollution, air pollutants that have been shown to have adverse health impacts.

In October 2020 the NHS declared that by 2040 it will be carbon net zero for all its Scope 1 and 2 emissions (that is, everything under its direct control) with everything else, its carbon footprint plus, being net zero by 2045.  There are also sustainability requirements within the NHS Long Term Plan, Standard Contract and CQC Well Led Section.

In 2024 Lord Darzi’s report stated:

“Given the global health imperatives, the NHS must stick to its net zero ambitions. There is no trade-off between climate responsibilities and reducing waiting lists. Indeed, often health and climate are mutually reinforcing goals: cleaner air is good for the environment and good for respiratory health.”

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a medium sized acute hospital serving a population of 360,000 in North Northamptonshire as well as many in surrounding areas of West Northamptonshire, south Leicestershire, north Bedfordshire and west Cambridgeshire.

The Trust provides general acute, maternity and paediatric services from its main hospital site in Kettering with satellite outpatient facilities in Corby, Irthlingborough and Wellingborough as well as community facilities in Kettering town. Services are funded primarily through contracts with the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS England Specialised Commissioners and other ICBs and Public Health bodies.

Progress since our last Sustainability Plan

In 2022 Kettering General Hospital set out its intentions in its Board approved Green Plan which had the areas of focus shown below which will be retained for this Sustainability Plan:
•    Workforce and Leadership 
•    Net Zero Clinical Transformation
•    Digital Transformation
•    Medicines
•    Travel and Transport
•    Estates and Facilities
•    Supply Chain and Procurement
•    Food and Nutrition
•    Adaptation

This Sustainability Plan also incorporates requirements from the following documents from NHS England:
•    Net Zero Supplier Road Map
•    Estates and Facilities Net Zero Carbon Delivery Plan
•    Net Zero Transport and Travel Strategy
•    Clinical Waste Strategy

Sustainability and Climate Change are also included within the Health and Social Care Act of 2022 which puts the duty on all Trusts to have a Green Plan, reduce carbon emissions and reduce waste.  Sustainable Healthcare is now included in the Well Led section of the CQC reporting, and all Trusts from 2024 must report on their climate actions and impact via the Taskforce for Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) requirements.
KGH NHS Foundation Trust view these as minimum requirements; this Sustainability Plan sets out how we will meet these and go further, contributing to a more sustainable healthcare system.

Key Highlights since our 2022 plan

•    Awarded over £700,000 grant funding to install solar PV
•    Increased segregation levels of clinical waste in line with NHS guidelines
•    Carbon Management Plan written setting out a roadmap to achieve net zero building emissions
•    Established multidisciplinary Sustainability Committee, Go Greener Nursing and Midwifery forum
•    Found and repaired Entonox leaks and replaced the Entonox manifold reducing carbon emissions by 900 tonnes.
•    Promoted Digital Technology to reduce the need for patients and staff to attend site
•    Achieved Modeshift Stars Bronze Accreditation
•    Awarded Healthcare site of the year in the Modeshift Stars award
•    Started the first enabling works for the new Energy Centre which will reduce carbon emissions from buildings by 41%. 
•    Installed LED lights across the Trust saving over 200 tonnes of CO2e.
•    Vending machines provide locally produced healthy options for staff and visitors 24/7
•    New food contract introduced to emphasise local suppliers
•    Employed a Waste Officer to implement NHS targets