The new programme will help small teams of staff in their own areas create a lasting ‘green impact’ -- one that cuts cost and carbon while making the NHS an even more rewarding place to work.
Energy and Sustainability Manager for CUH Richard Hales said: “Last year the carbon footprint of healthcare in England was 32 million tonnes of CO2. That’s 40% of the country’s entire public sector carbon emissions and has a huge cost attached to it. Not just in terms of the energy bills but also in terms of the quality of our shared environment, climate and ultimately the health and wellbeing of each and every one of us. It’s really important that we take responsibility to make a positive change. We’re hoping ‘Think Green Impact’ will motivate staff to get involved and help make a real difference.”
How it works
Small teams of two or more people volunteer to run a brief sustainability self-assessment of the area they work in – covering the reduce, reuse and recycle aspects of heating, cooling, lighting, waste, water, purchasing and travel. They make the assessment using a tried and tested, on-line Think Green Impact workbook which motivates them to reach ‘bronze’, ‘silver’ or ‘bonus’ levels of achievement.
The programme will run for seven months from October to April following which teams will be judged before being awarded Bronze, Silver or Bonus awards.
Green Impact, on which Think Green Impact is based, is an environmental accreditation and awards scheme run by the National Union of Students. The NUS brings together staff and students to green campuses, curriculums and communities across the country.
Working within 105 students’ unions, over 50 universities and colleges and now expanding into NHS trusts, local authorities and beyond, each programme is supported by NUS, ensuring its constant development and responsiveness to the needs and capacity of partner organisations.
To find out more see www.green-impact.org.uk
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For further information, or to request an interview, please contact: louise.gosling@addenbrookes.nhs.uk tel: 01223 586 730
Communications Department, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ
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