The theme for Earth Day on 22 April 2023 is ‘Invest in Our Planet’ asking people, organisations, and governments to accelerate solutions to combat climate change. Earth Day focuses on accelerating action and bringing everyone together to understand that change is within our reach if we work together.
This year, CHP is rallying behind the theme #InvestInOurPlanet, which highlights the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. Investing in our planet is necessary to protect it and the best way to pave a path towards a healthy and prosperous future for all.
As part of the NHS family, CHP supports the NHS ambition to deliver the world’s first net zero health system. Since NHS healthcare estates and facilities account for around 15% of all NHS carbon emissions, we must work together on carbon reduction and other sustainability initiatives. CHP is the head tenant in 308 modern primary care facilities offering flexible, well-used and welcoming spaces in areas of high health need. As core assets, we maximise their use to deliver more care and better health outcomes in local communities.
Climate change poses a major threat to our health. Tackling climate change by reducing harmful carbon emissions will improve health and save the lives of many. The NHS has reduced emissions across medicines, transport and the NHS estate. Many of these changes are already improving care today, as well as enhancing the health and wellbeing of staff, patients and the public in the future.
Read: Earth Day 2023
How CHP is investing for a Greener NHS – Delivering on Sustainability
Since launching our Green Plan a year ago, we have begun our journey to Net Zero Carbon, establishing strong foundations underpinned by our delivery plan. We recognise our responsibility to reduce the environmental impact of the estate and operations, whilst delivering value for money. Using technology and drawing on our expertise we will target our decarbonisation actions to maximise progress against our Net Zero Carbon targets.
Sustainable Facilities are one of our five strategic aims within our Integrated Business Plan 2023/24 and Sustainability is one of our four corporate social responsibility pillars.
CHP Green Plan - a greener CHP, a greener NHS (PDF)
In March 2022, CHP published our 'Green Plan: A Greener CHP a Greener NHS'. We are embedding our Green Plan into our business, committing resources, supporting staff taking action to ensure it is a success.
We have embedded our Green Plan into our business, committing resources, people and the actions we will take to ensure it is a success. In 2024/24 we will continue to work on our Net Zero Delivery Plan.
Our Green Plan objectives include:
- Corporate CHP to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030
- LIFT Portfolio to be Net Zero Carbon by 2040
- Meet our annual reporting requirements and obligations as a landlord, such as the minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES) and energy performance certificates (EPC).
CHP supports its staff to get involved in the Greener NHS ‘Healthier Planet, Healthier People’ staff engagement campaign. Everyone at CHP can play their part to meet our sustainability goals and we are supporting our staff to make changes.
CHP is playing its part by installing LED lights, solar photovoltaic projects, improving recycling facilities at our buildings, and upgrading communal planting and gardens including planting trees. In addition, we have plans for more electric car charging points, bike storage and encouraging sustainable transport at our primary care buildings.
Foleshill Health Centre – An example of future sustainable healthcare buildings
CHP is leading the way for a greener NHS, designing, funding and building Foleshill Health Centre in Coventry.
Case study: Foleshill Health Centre Coventry
In August 2021, CHP opened Foleshill the first UK Passivhaus health centre built using specially designed Portakabin modules. The £3.3m, 619m² primary care building serves up to 10,000 patients in inner-city Coventry with five consulting rooms and two treatment rooms. The building is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the NHS estate.
If you are a tenant, an ICS or Trust partner, and want to know more about how CHP can support your sustainability plans, please contact your local CHP Property and Operations team or our CHP Sustainability team.
Sustainability at CHP
As part of the NHS family, CHP supports the NHS ambition to deliver the world’s first net zero health system. Sustainable Facilities are one of our five strategic aims and Sustainability is one of our four corporate social responsibility pillars. Aligning with the NHS target of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2040, the team at CHP are committed to achieve Net Zero Carbon for the LIFT estate by 2040 and 2030 for our corporate functions.
