Since 2008, we’ve been working to connect healthcare professionals, patients, and communities with the crucial links between health and the environment. Our mission is to reduce healthcare’s resource footprint and empower the sector to lead in climate action—through decarbonising health systems and building climate-resilient services with stronger ties to green spaces.
Our work centres around two main programmes: Clinical Transformation and Green Space for Health, guided by the principles of prevention, patient empowerment, lean systems, and low-carbon alternatives.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to sustainable healthcare. We hope you enjoy exploring our progress and achievements over the past years!
2023 highlights: Celebrating 15 years of transforming healthcare for a sustainable future
“We have achieved much over the last 15 years, but there is still a lot to do, and we will be working even harder to leverage our networks, push more boundaries, and improve the chance of a sustainable future in healthcare. All driven by collaboration and innovation.”
Gill Manning, CSH Chair
In 2023, the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) marked its 15th anniversary with remarkable growth and impactful achievements. Our mission to inspire and empower healthcare professionals, patients, and communities to integrate sustainability into healthcare has never been stronger.
Message from our CEO and Founder, Rachel Stancliffe
“Welcome, everyone! 2023 has been a busy and rewarding year. We’ve brought in some incredible people, strengthened our systems, and built a more resilient and diverse team and board. None of this would be possible without the amazing support from our volunteers, partners, and funders—we’re truly grateful for all you do to help us thrive.”
Our environmental impact
Tree planting and Green Space initiatives
This year, we planted 10,363 trees across 43 NHS sites, surpassing the 100,000-tree milestone in the NHS Forest. With new funding secured, we are set to plant 150,000 more trees by 2025, contributing to greener, healthier spaces across NHS sites.
Our NHS Forest network has grown to 377 member sites, reflecting our ongoing commitment to greening the NHS estate and connecting healthcare spaces with nature.
Our Green Space for Health team worked on improving NHS green estate biodiversity by conducting ecological assessments for 6 NHS sites and partnering with Forest Research to evaluate the financial value of trees in healthcare settings.
Our partnership with the Woodland Trust and American Forests brought the Tree Equity Score tool to the UK this year. This innovative tool helps identify where tree planting efforts are needed most to ensure everyone, including those on NHS sites, has equitable access to the health, economic, and climate benefits of trees.
Driving sustainable healthcare
Green Team Competitions
We partnered with 6 NHS Trusts, to deliver 6 Green Team Competitions. So far, the outcomes of 3 of them are known with expected combined savings of £790,000 and 287 tonnes CO2e. These competitions are transforming healthcare delivery to be more sustainable and cost-effective.
SusQI Academy expansion
Our Sustainability in Quality Improvement (SusQI) Academy now has members from the UK, Canada, Australia. In 2023, the Academy welcomed 7 new organisations, further broadening its reach and influence. 24 healthcare professionals were trained as leaders in SusQI, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to champion sustainability in quality improvement within their organisations.
Consulting and expertise
Carbon footprint modelling
Our sustainability analysts supported 15 scholars, facilitated 6 Green Team Competitions, and delivered 10 Carbon Footprinting courses. We worked with various NHS organisations to estimate their baseline carbon footprint and monitor the impact of their carbon reduction initiatives.
We also collaborated with companies to assess the environmental impact of digital health technologies. For example, CSH partnered with Ufonia to evaluate how AI-driven care pathways could reduce carbon emissions in cataract surgery.
CSH internal carbon audit
In 2023, CSH conducted its first internal carbon footprint analysis as part of our commitment to reducing our own emissions. This comprehensive audit has laid the foundation for developing a carbon reduction plan aligned with the NHS’s net-zero targets. Moving forward, we will continue to monitor and measure our carbon footprint annually to track progress and demonstrate our commitment to sustainability.
Consultation and collaboration
Thanks to the quality and growing reach of our educational programme, the CSH Education team has been increasingly invited to advise, participate, and collaborate on various projects supporting sustainable healthcare.
- In 2023, we were featured speakers at the Clinical Pharmacy Congress, which led to an invitation to advise on the development of the Northern Ireland Medicines Strategy.
- Our team provided expert advice to the Royal College of Psychiatrists for their Net Zero Mental Health Care guidance and education report.
- We also delivered regular training sessions for members of the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of General Practitioners.
- Presented at the South East Clinical Senate on Sustainable Quality Improvement, and provided carbon literacy courses to healthcare staff in New South Wales, Australia.
- Ran a train-the-trainer programme empowering medical educators in Wales to introduce sustainable healthcare and delivered training on Sustainability in Respiratory Care to physiotherapists in Ireland.
These consultations and collaborative efforts illustrate our role as a key adviser and educator in the healthcare sector, both within the UK and internationally.
Board-Level courses
Our educational outreach expanded to provide Public Health Leadership for Sustainability courses aimed at senior healthcare leaders and board members. These courses empower decision-makers with the knowledge and skills needed to drive sustainability at the highest levels within their organisations.
Events we organise
NHS Forest Conference
Our annual NHS Forest Conference attracted over 600 participants this year, focusing on the benefits of trees and woodlands as healthcare assets. Attendees learned about improving biodiversity, engaging with green spaces, and how NHS sites can implement green initiatives. We also announced the NHS Forest Awards Winners for sites going above and beyond in promoting biodiversity and connecting people with nature.
SusQI Showcase
The SusQI Showcase in May 2023 attracted over X participants this year and highlighted successful examples of Sustainability in Quality Improvement from our members and partners. With 200+ individuals trained in sustainability workshops, the event featured case studies and fostered discussions on integrating the “green lens” into healthcare projects.
“Are you worried about the environment? And are you worried enough to change your behaviour and practice? Those are the most important questions to start any sustainable healthcare project.”
Dr Lynn Riddell, Clinical Service Lead Northamptonshire Integrated Sexual Health and HIV services and speaker at the SusQI Showcase 2023
Voices from the field
Impact stories from the NHS Forest
Our Nature Recovery Ranger programme has brought green spaces to life across NHS sites, fostering a sense of community and enhancing the natural environment. This year, we have many inspiring stories from our rangers and participants.
- In January, Billy joined us as a Nature Recovery Ranger. He led a successful seed sowing workshop with over 40 attendees, where participants learned about regenerative, low-impact growing methods. The session was designed to be hands-on and accessible to everyone, enhancing the hospital’s green spaces while providing an uplifting activity for staff and patients.
“Since we started working with the NHS Forest project, there has been fantastic engagement on-site. Staff are now suggesting more outdoor meetings, which has greatly improved wellbeing and morale.”
Ginnie Abubakar, Cancer Support and Information Services Manager at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre
- As the Nature Recovery Ranger, Nick worked with the local community and hospital staff to enhance Bluebell Woods, an NHS Forest asset. This project won the Partnership Award at the inaugural Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) Sustainability Awards. Nick’s efforts have not only improved biodiversity but also increased public access to the woodland, providing a calming, therapeutic environment for patients and staff.
“We’ve seen patients walking through our woodland walkway, taking time to sit and appreciate the environment. It’s been amazing!”
Nick White, Liverpool Nature Recovery Ranger
At Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, the engagement with nature has extended beyond the rangers’ work. From hosting lunchtime planting sessions to creating new green areas, the project has sparked a change in how green spaces are used and appreciated.
Stories from the SusQI programme
The SusQI Showcase brought together healthcare professionals who shared their experiences and innovations in integrating sustainability into clinical practices. A highlight was the team from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who successfully incorporated sustainability into enteral feeding practices, significantly reducing the carbon footprint while maintaining high-quality patient care.
Volunteer stories
Our volunteers are the backbone of many of our initiatives. In 2023, 47 volunteers contributed a total of 4,714 hours, equivalent to 2.4 full-time employees. They supported everything from the Sustainability in Quality Improvement (SusQI) courses to our Green Space for Health programmes. One of our dedicated volunteers, Alice Clack, who worked on the SusQI education project, shared:
“Volunteering with CSH has allowed me to consolidate my ideas about sustainability in healthcare and gain hands-on experience in implementing change.”
Dr Alice Clack, Associate and SusQI Education Fellow 2022-2023
Impact in numbers
Strengthening our networks
Our online Networks Platform now boasts over 6,200 members worldwide, sharing 834 resources and hosting 161 events. This vibrant community has become a global hub for sustainable healthcare discussions, providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Sharing our knowledge
In 2023, CSH hosted 161 events, reaching over 6,643 people across 31 specialty networks, and we presented at 69 conferences and external events. This included our involvement in the inaugural Net Zero Clinical Care Conference 2023, hosted by the BMJ and UKHACC, the Our People Our Planet 2023 event, and the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, where we shared case studies, insights, and strategies for embedding sustainability into clinical practices.
Courses and educational outreach
Our educational programmes have seen a remarkable increase in reach and impact in 2023, underscoring the growing demand for sustainable healthcare training:
+36% increase
in participation compared to the previous year
2 new courses
Sustainable Child Health and Sustainable Procurement
1,023 course attendees
from 21 different countries
95% of participants stated that they would recommend our Foundation-level courses to their colleagues, reflecting high levels of satisfaction and engagement.
CSH delivered 10 Carbon Footprinting workshops and developed a new Carbon Footprinting course tailored for participants based in the United States. The US course was trialled alongside three of the regular carbon footprinting workshops.
200+ individuals have been trained in 2023 through our Sustainability in Quality Improvement workshops and bespoke courses, reaching a diverse audience of healthcare professionals.
Communications and social media reach
Financial growth and future plans
Financial growth
In 2023, we achieved a 33% increase in income, raising £1.6 million. This growth reflects the increasing demand for sustainable healthcare solutions and our expanding educational programmes. Our funding comes from a diverse mix of sources, including grants, educational courses, consultancy services, donations, and sponsorship.
Sponsorship
The support of our sponsors has been instrumental in advancing our initiatives. In 2023, the NHS Forest benefited from ongoing corporate sponsorships, such as:
- Our SusQI programme was supported by a grant from SBRI (Small Business Research and Innovation).
- Tula Energy, who sponsored over 100 trees for the NHS Forest.
- DSSR Consulting Engineers, who committed to an annual donation of 500 trees.
- IQVIA, a global provider of analytics and clinical research services, and TePe, a leading oral health brand, and Waterplus all contributed trees throughout the year.
- RSK Group, through a multi-year sponsorship agreement, has been providing advice, consultancy, and annual sponsorship for tree planting through our Trees Call to Action Fund grant. This fund was developed by Defra in partnership with the Forestry Commission and is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
These sponsorships, along with contributions from individual donors, have significantly supported our efforts to expand the NHS Forest and promote sustainability within healthcare.
Some of our partners
Looking ahead: 2024 and beyond
As we look to the future, we’re excited to expand our Green Space for Health programme, launch new international collaborations, and continue driving sustainability through education and innovation. We plan to increase our sponsorship opportunities to support more tree planting, develop new educational resources, and extend the reach of our training and consultancy services.
Engage with us
Green Team Competition
NHS Trusts can partner with us to increase sustainability, reduce carbon footprint and save costs by commissioning a Green Team Competition for their staff.
Access Our Resources
Access our academic resources library and learn how your organisation or clinical practice can become more environmentally sustainable.
Become a Sponsor
Support CSH in making an even greater impact as a global charity or contribute to one of our many groundbreaking healthcare projects.
Sign Up for Courses
Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to seamlessly integrate sustainability into your daily health and care practice.
Discover the impact we’ve made over the years
Download our previous Annual Impact Reports below to see how we’ve been driving change and creating a sustainable future in healthcare. Dive into our achievements and learn more about our ongoing journey.
