NHS organisations have submitted their updated Green Plans, detailing how they intend to cut carbon emissions and improve environmental sustainability over the next three years.
The plans are a key part of the health service’s commitment to reaching net zero for the emissions it controls directly by 2040, and for those within its wider supply chain by 2045.
The latest round of submissions is expected to show how Trusts are building on their existing plans, with progress made in areas such as sustainable procurement, decarbonisation of estates and transport, energy efficiency, and greener models of care.
NHS England has asked Trusts to ensure their plans are aligned with Integrated Care System (ICS) priorities and national targets, and to demonstrate measurable action across clinical and operational activities.
The plans are a key part of the health service’s commitment to reaching net zero for the emissions it controls directly by 2040
The Green Plans will now be reviewed by regional NHS teams, with feedback expected later this year. Trusts are also required to monitor and report on progress annually to ensure continued momentum towards the NHS’s climate goals.
Originally introduced in 2021, Green Plans are part of the NHS’s Greener NHS Programme, which supports Trusts and ICSs with tools, funding opportunities, and guidance to embed sustainability across healthcare delivery.
The next national review of Green Plans is due in 2028.
In February and March, Building Better Healthcare reported that NHS Property Services and Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust published their Green Plans ahead of the Thursday 31 July 2025 deadline.
The Green Plans will now be reviewed by regional NHS teams, with feedback expected later this year
These plans covered decarbonisation targets outlined in the Green Plan across several key areas, including clinical waste reduction, development of green spaces, and sustainable procurement.
Cameron Hawkins, Head of Energy and Environment at NHS Property Services, said: “We are really proud of what the previous Green Plan delivered, from the 48% reduction in carbon emissions to the £47.8 million we saved on energy. We are now even more ambitious to contribute towards a net zero NHS with a smarter, greener and more efficient estate.”
Elizabeth Hale, Director of Communications and Improvement at Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Our Green Plan outlines our response to the health emergency that climate change brings and confirms our firm commitment to our local ambitions and targets. Every decision we take and every choice we make from this point onwards must contribute to delivering a net zero NHS.”