Carbon Footprint Analysis Of Clinical Pathways

In 2021-22 the NHS’s carbon footprint was 21.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. With around 30% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributable to medicine and medical equipment, 5% to anaesthetic gases and inhalers and 5% to patient travel, we need to shift our mitigation efforts from traditional estates-based interventions to transformation of clinical practice in order to meet Net Zero requirements. 

 CSH offers a bespoke carbon footprint and triple bottom line analysis of clinical pathways to help the wider healthcare sector achieve those aims.  

What Is A Carbon Footprint Analysis For A Clinical Pathway?

A carbon footprint analysis of a clinical pathway/service estimates the direct and indirect greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions attributable to that pathway/service. It includes the seven greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e).Unlike an organisational carbon footprint analysis, it focusses very specifically on the individual healthcare pathway, estimating the environmental impact of the pathway’s activities and resources needed for its delivery. 

What Is A Triple Bottom Line Analysis For A Clinical Pathway?

A Triple Bottom Line (TBL) analysis is  more comprehensive than a carbon footprint analysis as it looks at the social and financial impact of a clinical pathway in addition to the environmental impact. 

Why Are Carbon footprint Or Triple Bottom Line Analyses important? 

For the NHS to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2045, not only NHS estates but also models of care need to be decarbonised. Understanding the carbon footprint of your clinical pathway/service will help to identify its carbon hotspots and open up opportunities for health professionals to address these. 

Extending your carbon footprint evaluation by including an analysis of your service’s/pathways’ social impacts, for example, looking at inequity hotspots, patient and staff experience, and financial impacts, will provide a more comprehensive understanding of your clinical specialties flash points. It will not only highlight the areas to focus your emissions reduction efforts on, but also help you to enhance your patients’ and staff experience of your service, improve equitable access for all and reduce costs. 

Why Are Carbon footprint Or Triple Bottom Line Analyses Of Clinical  Pathways  Important?  

For the NHS to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2045, not only NHS estates but also models of care need to be decarbonised. Understanding the carbon footprint of your clinical pathway/service will help to identify its carbon hotspots and open up opportunities for health professionals to address these.  

Extending your carbon footprint evaluation by including an analysis of your service’s/pathways’ social impacts, for example, looking at inequity hotspots, patient and staff experience, and financial impacts, will provide a more comprehensive understanding of your clinical specialties flash points. It will not only highlight the areas to focus your emissions reduction efforts on, but also help you to enhance your patients’ and staff experience of your service, improve equitable access for all and reduce costs.  

What Is Involved In A Carbon FootPrint Or Triple Bottom Line Analysis? 

CSH can support you with: 

  • Mapping of clinical pathway: in collaboration with your organisation, we’ll map your clinical pathway, identifying activities and resources of the pathway delivery which need to be measured 
  • Data collection: we’ll take you through the data collection process to help you identify the type of data and data sources needed to measure the carbon footprint only, or also the social impact and costs.  
  • Measurement: we’ll estimate the clinical pathway’s GHG emissions and costs based on the pathway’s resource use 
  • Social impact measurement: depending on the category of social impact identified for assessment, patient/staff surveys or focus group discussions might be drawn on for evaluation.  
  • Analysis and report: the results will be written up in a report, breaking down the GHG emissions according to activities and resources and identifying carbon hotspots 
  • Interpretation: we’ll take you through the results of your carbon footprint, costs and social impact and explain your pathway’s hotspots to help you fully understand your impact and enable you to address it 
  • Scenario modelling: in collaboration with your clinical team, the capacity of potential solutions to reduce the pathway’s GHG emissions can be assessed through scenario modelling. 

‘It has been brilliant working with Rosie and Inge from CSH. They have led thorough reports looking at carbon footprinting the use of an artificial intelligence conversational agent in the NHS.  I have always been impressed with how thorough the team have been, how they've gone the extra mile to understand the nuances of clinical pathways to ensure the report is accurate, and the reports themselves have been professional and extremely insightful. I look forward to our ongoing work together’ - Aisling Highman, Ufonia  

Who Is This Service For? 

The Carbon Footprint Or Triple Bottom Line Analysis Of Healthcare Pathways is for all NHS and non NHS Hhealthcare organisations, their clinical teams and departments. 

Success Stories 

How Much Does A Carbon Footprint Or Triple Bottom Line Analysis Of A Clinical Pathway Cost? 

Each healthcare provider throughout the sector is unique and will have a variety of needs and requirements. Our team of experts will work with you to make sure we meet the individual needs of your supply chain or business.

Please contact Ingeborg Steinbach, CSH's Lead Sustainability Analyst for a bespoke quote for your organisation.