Organisational Carbon Footprint Analysis

In 2021-22 the NHS’s carbon footprint was 21.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. To reach net zero by 2045, all healthcare organisations must play their part. Calculating your organisation’s carbon footprint is an essential starting point to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and provides important information for the development of your green plan or carbon reduction plan. It allows you to monitor your greenhouse gas emissions year on year and to understand your carbon hotspots enabling you to focus your sustainability efforts on the highest carbon areas.   

What Is An Organisational Carbon Footprint Analysis?

An organisational carbon footprint analysis estimates the direct and indirect greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions produced by an organisation. It includes the seven greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). GHG emissions can be divided into Scope 1,2 and 3 emissions, which are all included in an organisational carbon footprint analysis:

Scope 1 Emissions: Emissions from sources directly owned or controlled by your healthcare organisation, such as tailpipe emissions of your fleet vehicles, or boilers and anaesthetic gases. 

Scope 2 Emissions: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling consumed by  your organisation. 

Scope 3 Emissions: All other indirect emissions, including both upstream and downstream, such as emissions associated with your supply chain and well-to-tank emissions related to energy consumption. 

Why Is An Organisational Carbon Footprint Analysis important?  

The Health and Care Act 2022 places a legal duty on the NHS to contribute to UK's net zero emissions target. By understanding your carbon footprint, your organisations can identify areas for reduction, such as energy consumption, waste management, and supply chain emissions. This not only helps meet regulatory obligations but also improves environmental sustainability, reduces operational costs, and makes your organisation a responsible steward of resources. 

What Is Involved In An Organisational Carbon Footprint Analysis?  

Whether you’re looking to establish your organisation’s baseline carbon footprint or building on a base year to measure progress, CSH can support you with:   

• Data collection: we’ll take you through the data collection process to help you identify which resources need to be measured and what data sources are required.  
• Measurement: we’ll estimate your organisation’s Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions based on your resource use, in line with the GHG Protocol and Greener NHS’s approach. 
• Analysis and report: the results will be written up in a report, breaking down the sources and scopes and identifying carbon hotspots 
•  Interpretation: we’ll take you through the results of your carbon footprint and explain the hotspots to help you fully understand your impact and enable you to address it 

Who Is This Service For? 

Any health and care organisation looking to understand the impact of their organisation: NHS Trusts, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Primary Care, Royal Colleges, Non-NHS healthcare organisations, NHS Suppliers.    

“Carbon reporting is an essential part of measuring success, and we are really pleased with the quality and attention to detail given to our most recent carbon report.

The Team at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare are highly experienced individuals and are a pleasure to work with. We look forward to continue working with the team at CSH when undertaking future reports.” – James Powell, Head of Sustainability, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Success Stories 

• Estimation of Gloucestershire Integrated Care System’s (ICSs) Primary Care services carbon footprint plus for 2022-23. Analysis of 69 registered GP practices’ GHG emissions, including a breakdown per primary care network (PCN) and per practice.  
• Estimation of scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions of Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust from 2020-21 to 2023-24 to identify carbon hotspots and monitor progress towards net zero.  
• Estimation of scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions of South-East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) to provide a baseline as part of their South-East London ICS Green Plan.  

How Much Does A Carbon Footprint Analysis 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.