Skip to main content

Decarbonisation and Sustainability

In April 2021, the Welsh Government launched the NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Development Plan 2021-2030. As a Health Board, we developed a five year Decarbonisation Action Plan (DAP) 2022-2026 with support from the Carbon Trust. The plan considers buildings and energy, procurement, transport, travel, healthcare and corporate carbon management.

We are committed to create a more sustainable, greener and healthier future.

The following initiatives are examples of our efforts to support decarbonisation:

  • Install onsite renewable energy generation facilities where viable to do so.
  • We are looking at the removal of Entonox (nitrous oxide), which will move towards GreenED accreditation. Entonox is a widely used gas in healthcare settings, but it is 265 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas.
  • Projects to reduce pharmaceutical waste which impacts the environment, as well as potentially reducing costs. 
  • Prepare to be able to progress low carbon heat generation for non-acute sites larger than 1,000m2 by 2030.
  • Ensure that all new medium and large freight vehicles procured after April 2025 meet the future modern standard of ultra-low emission vehicles in their class.
  • Progress the procurement of 100% REGO-backed electricity.
  • Continue the programme of replacing all existing lighting with LED lighting.
  • Consider carbon impact when procuring services, sourcing locally where possible.
  • Continue to make the case for digital solutions that offer the potential of using less paper, in addition to the patient safety opportunities that digital solutions can provide.
  • Improving our biodiversity through green travel plans, plant more trees and improve gardens.