Other supply chain, including food

This large chunk of our carbon pie includes Business Services, Construction, Freight Transport and Food and Catering.

Business services relates to NHS services we procure to support our staff and patients

Construction relates to the direct carbon emissions of the construction process, as well as the huge amount of carbon that goes into the production of materials used in construction.

Most freight emissions are quantified with the products or items we buy, so there is little measured separately for us as a Trust.

Food and catering have a significant carbon footprint. Some products, such as red meat, are produced through the clearance of large areas of healthy forest, and the animals themselves emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases. Food waste releases more harmful emissions as it breaks down. This is on top of the carbon used during the manufacture, processing and transport of food.

It's also an area where all of us can contribute to the reduction of plastic use very easily.

A long line of industrial cows in a barn

What we've done

  • Created a working group to investigate, and action, carbon saving alternatives and methods.
  • Included carbon weighting in tender returns to determine most sustainable fit for purpose equipment and devices.
  • Looked at food production and ordering methods that reduce our food waste.

What we're doing

  • Working with the NHS supply chain to reduce the carbon intensity of products we buy and services we use.
  • Encouraging staff and patients to think about the carbon footprint of their plate.
  • Using more locally sourced and seasonal food, and increasing the meat free and vegan meal choices in the Trust.