Summary: Green Plan 2025-2028

1. Introduction and strategic context 

The TEWV Green Plan is a refreshed sustainability strategy, aligning with national NHS priorities and legislative drivers such as the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Act, Environment Act, and NHS Net Zero targets. The plan aims to ensure that healthcare services remain fit for purpose, resilient, and environmentally responsible, balancing financial, social, and environmental sustainability. TEWV’s vision is to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, with interim targets and a commitment to continuous improvement. 

Key legislative drivers: 

• Paris Agreement (2015): Limit global temperature rise. 
• Climate Change Act (2008): UK carbon reduction targets. 
• Environment Act (2021): Air and water quality improvements. 
• NHS Net Zero by 2040: Statutory guidance and embedded targets. 
• Health and Care Act (2022): Net zero targets in NHS legislation. 

2. About TEWV and rationale for the Green Plan 

TEWV provides mental health, learning disability, and eating disorder services to over two million people across County Durham, Tees Valley, York, and North Yorkshire. With 8,100 staff and over 90 sites, the Trust recognises its significant environmental footprint and role as a regional anchor institution. The Green Plan is shaped by national and local requirements, aiming to reduce carbon emissions, improve resilience, and deliver social value. 

Vision: 

• Net Zero: Reduce resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. 
• Climate Resilience: Minimise environmental impact and build organisational resilience. 
• Social Value: Leverage TEWV’s role to deliver broader community benefits. 

3. Progress to date (2022 to 2025) 

System leadership and workforce: 

• Appointment of an energy and sustainability manager. 
• Quarterly Sustainability Group meetings. 
• Staff volunteer network and dedicated Teams channel in development. 
• Successful bids for external funding for energy reduction projects (LED lighting and solar). 
• Strengthened governance and reporting structures. 

Sustainable models of care: 

• Collaboration bid with University of York on carbon footprint research. 
• Integration of Sustainable Quality Improvement (SusQI) into programmes. 

Digital transformation: 

• Expansion of digital and remote appointments. 
• Managed Print Contract to reduce printer fleet. 
• Migration to cloud-based systems. 
• Data centre energy consumption evaluation. 

Travel and transport: 

• Regional travel survey and site-specific travel plans. 
• 80 electric vehicle charging points installed. 
• Monitoring and decarbonisation of fleet vehicles. 

Estates and facilities: 

• LED lighting upgrades and Building Management System (BMS) improvements. 
• Solar projects funded for some hospital sites. 
• Biodiversity initiatives (wildflower areas, hedgerow planting, No Mow May). 
• Waste management improvements and food waste recycling. 

Medicines: 

• Medicines Green Plan working group. 
• Optimisation newsletters and patient engagement. 
• Stock level efficiencies and waste reduction. 

Supply chain and procurement: 

• Mandatory social value and net zero considerations in procurement. 
• Collaboration with external partners to improve Scope 3 carbon emissions data. 

Food and nutrition: 

• Nutrition and Hydration Steering Group established. 
• Food waste measurement and reduction initiatives. 
• Promotion of healthy, sustainable menu options. 

Adaptation: 

• Integration of climate adaptation into Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR). 
• Planning for climate risk assessments and resilience training. 

4. Trust contributions to national targets 

TEWV aligns with NHS statutory targets to achieve: 

• Net Zero by 2040 for emissions under direct control (Carbon Footprint) 
• Net Zero by 2045 for all emissions, including supply chain (Carbon Footprint Plus). 
• Interim targets: 47% reduction by 2028–2032 (direct emissions), 73% reduction by 2036–2038 (indirect emissions). 

Emissions breakdown (carbon footprint 2019/20 to 2024/25): 

• Energy: 83% of footprint, increased due to Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems. 
• Travel: 16% with a significant reduction post-pandemic. 
• Waste and Water: Less than 1% of footprint. 

5. Areas of focus and priority actions (2025 to 2028) 

• Workforce and Leadership: Assess workforce capacity and skills, promote sustainability training, embed Green Plan in staff induction, engage patients and community. 
• Digital Transformation: Reduce data centre energy consumption by 20% by 2028, digitise records, track IT equipment carbon footprint. 
• Net Zero Clinical Transformation: Integrate net zero principles into service redesign, incorporate SusQI, promote nature-based interventions. 
• Medicines: Use Greener Pharmacy Toolkit, integrate pharmacy waste, work towards accreditation with Royal Pharmaceutical Society. 
• Travel and Transport: Switch fleet vehicles to zero emission options by 2027, increase staff participation in sustainable travel schemes. 
• Estates and Facilities: Develop heat decarbonisation plans, increase LED lighting and solar generation, reduce water consumption, enhance biodiversity and green space, target reductions in waste volumes, evaluate carbon impact of estates planning. 
• Supply Chain and Procurement: Embed Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, develop data collection for procurement emissions. 
• Food and Nutrition: Measure and reduce food waste, promote healthy, low-carbon menu options. 
• Adaptation: Develop climate change risk assessments and adaptation plans. 

6. Governance and Accountability 

• Net Zero leadership assigned to executive director of finance, estates and facilities. 
• Quarterly Sustainability Group meetings. 
• Six-monthly updates to executive groups and committees. 
• Annual reporting and review of Green Plan progress. 
• Engagement with Integrated Care Board (ICB) partners and NHS England data collections. 

7. Stakeholder engagement and getting involved 

The Green Plan is a living document, evolving with stakeholder input and changing priorities. TEWV encourages staff, patients, and partners to participate in sustainability initiatives, share feedback, and contribute to ongoing improvements. 

For more information, please contact our energy and sustainability manager [email protected].