Primary care has a critical role in a net zero NHS. Our carbon audit and reduction planning service gives GP federations the evidence, priorities and practical roadmap needed to cut emissions, manage risk and demonstrate progress. 

Practical carbon insight and action planning for primary care leaders

Delivered by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, our service combines credible carbon footprint analysis with implementation support, helping primary healthcare teams move quickly from ambition to measurable action.

• Build a clear baseline carbon footprint across federation operations and member practices. 

• Identify carbon hot spots across estates, travel, medicines, procurement, waste and service delivery. 

• Create a practical Carbon Reduction Plan aligned with NHS net zero requirements. 

• Prioritise realistic actions that reduce emissions, costs and operational risk. 

• Support staff engagement and local leadership across primary care. 

What’s included 

A structured carbon audit and reduction planning process for federation headquarters, hosted services, federation-led clinical services and participating practices. 

• Carbon footprint baseline covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions.  

• Analysis of energy, water, waste, travel, procurement, medicines and inhaler emissions.  

• Practice and service-level breakdowns to show where emissions arise.  

• Hotspot analysis to identify the highest-impact opportunities for carbon reduction.  

• A practical Carbon Reduction Plan with targets, recommendations and implementation priorities.  

• Optional modeling of priority actions to estimate carbon, financial and operational impacts.  

• Optional action plan with responsibilities, timescales and monitoring measures.  

Why this matters for GP federations  

The NHS net zero agenda is now an operational, financial and reputational priority. GP federations can act by targeting emissions from buildings, travel, medicines, procurement and service models while supporting efficient, resilient care. 

We translate green plan commitments into quantified, credible action—showing what to measure, where to improve data and which interventions will have the greatest impact. 

Our approach  

Our hybrid methodology combines activity-based carbon footprinting with spend-based analysis where data is limited, so teams can act now and improve accuracy over time. 

The process moves from discovery and data collection to footprint calculation, hotspot analysis, recommendations and a practical Carbon Reduction Plan, with optional impact modeling and implementation planning. 

What you receive  

• A baseline carbon footprint for the federation, participating practices and relevant services.  

• A clear summary of carbon hotspots and priority opportunities.  

• A Carbon Reduction Plan aligned with NHS net zero commitments.  

• Practical recommendations for short-, medium- and long-term action.  

Who this is for  

Designed for GP federations, primary care networks, at-scale providers and community-based clinical services that need credible carbon insight and a practical route to lower-impact care. 

• Federations developing or updating a Green Plan.  

• Primary care providers preparing for sustainability reporting or procurement requirements.  

• Groups of practices wanting a shared carbon baseline and collective action plan.  

• Clinical services seeking to improve care while reducing environmental impact.  

Why work with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare?  

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare brings together carbon analytics, sustainable quality improvement, clinical engagement and implementation experience to help healthcare organisations deliver measurable change. 

We help teams identify the right priorities, quantify carbon and wider benefits, and build confidence with boards, commissioners, partners and staff. 

Get started  

If your federation needs a clear carbon baseline and a credible plan for action, we can help you scope the work, identify data needs and select the right level of support.