Welcome to 'Green Rabbits' the monthly newsletter from the Campaign for Greener Healthcare for an update on sustainable healthcare news, events, resources and our projects. The primary source of information about the Campaign, including an archive of these newsletters, is our website at www.greenerhealthcare.org.
GREENER HEALTHCARE NETWORK ON 2degrees
We are delighted to announce that the Campaign for Greener Healthcare has started a partnership with 2degrees. CGH will run the Greener Healthcare network on the highly successful 2degrees platform and the groups are already working closely together to combine their complementary skills to engage and transform healthcare worldwide for a sustainable future. You can join the network here.
CARBON REDUCTION TO BE EMBEDDED INTO NHS LONDON
In a letter to all London Trusts Ruth Carnall, CEO NHS London, requires carbon reduction to be embedded into how they plan and operate. The letter significantly raises the profile of carbon reduction in NHS London with three main requirements:
- All capital investment business cases must include environmental impact assessments that address carbon reduction;
- All trusts and PCTs must have a board-approved environmental strategy that monitors, manages and reduces carbon by March 2010; and
- All Trusts and PCTs must have designated carbon reduction leads
at board and officer level.
For more details and to see a copy of the letter click here
CARBON TRADING PUBLIC SECTOR
As reported by the NHS SDU, the Carbon Trading Public Sector 2010-2011 scheme is being offered to NHS Trusts along with other public sector bodies to give organisations advance hands-on experience of the carbon trading process which will be introduced by the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRS EES) in April 2010.
The scheme will be managed and operated by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) on the same basis as their previous successful local government and public sector schemes.
For more details and to download a copy of the brochure click here.
TOOLS AND RESOURCES - 10:10 BASELINING TOOL
In the next few days, 10:10 HQ will be sending out emails to organisations signed up to 10:10 with a personalised link to a new online reporting tool. Plug in the numbers and you’ll get a rundown of what you’re emitting now, and what you need to do to achieve 10%.
Don’t worry if your baseline year doesn’t finish for a while (if you’re matching it to the financial year, for example). Just enter the start date for your action year and 10:10 HQ will send you a reminder closer to the time. If you have any questions at this stage, contact baseline@1010uk.org for help.
If you need to brush up on what is included in 10:10 you can download the methodology document here
CARBON ADDICT SERIES - ASSESSING SEVERITY
With a diagnosis of carbon dependence made, an objective assessment of the extent and nature of carbon use is invaluable to guide treatment. Bank account biopsy allows analysis of consumer habits and is the gold standard here. Be aware that many patients will strongly resist suggestion of a biopsy, and will need firm reassurance that results are held in strict confidence – including from their spouse.
More information: www.carbonaddict.org/severity-scoring
GOOD MONTH FOR ...
Public awareness of climate change - some 15 million people signed the AVAAZ petition calling for bold action on climate change at Copenhagen.
BAD MONTH FOR ...
International emissions reduction with the failure to secure a legally binding agreement at Copenhagen.
EVENTS
AAGBI WINTER SCIENTIFIC MEETING: THE ANAESTHETIST AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 22nd January, London
ACADEMY OF MEDICAL EDUCATORS ANNUAL MEETING, 27th January, London
AN INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH, 2nd February, London
NHS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - ONE FUTURE, DIFFERENT PATHS (CONFERENCE), 3rd February, London
HEATWAVE SEMINAR 2010, 5th February, London
PUBLIC HEALTH FUTURES (CONFERENCE), 23rd February, London
JOBS
This is a new item - if you would like to advertise a job in the field of sustainability and health please send a link to the job advert to tim.nicholson@kintoa.org.
University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - Sustainability Development Manager click here