NHS carbon reduction strategy

The NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy for England (CRS) sets an ambition for the NHS to help drive change towards a low carbon society. The strategy shows the scale of reduction in carbon required for the NHS to meet its legal targets set out in the Climate Change Act. It also recommends key actions for the NHS to become a leading sustainable and low carbon organisation.

Keeping track of the NHS carbon footprint indicates how the NHS is progressing in reducing emissions. The SDU regularly updates the NHS carbon footprint to see how we are doing. A list of documents demonstrating progress and giving guidance on how to improve sustainability and reduce carbon can be found on our NHS Carbon Footprint page.

Below you will find a list of documents related to the NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy.

Strategy update

The original strategy was published in 2009. An update was produced in 2010 providing new information and additional tools. It should be used in conjunction with the 2009 NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy (CRS). The update includes additional analysis using Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACC) which identify which carbon reduction measures save the most money. Find our more information about MAC Curves.

  • CO2e Reduction Potential for NHS England

    This is a graphical representation of the quantification of various (theoretical) carbon reduction measures. The multi-coloured wedges illustrate transformational change and show the scale of the impact of each measure on the NHS.

    Download Document

  • NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy

    The NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy for England sets an ambition for the NHS to help drive change towards a low carbon society. The strategy shows the scale of reduction in carbon required for the NHS to progress towards the Climate Change Act requirements and recommends key actions for the NHS to become a leading sustainable and low carbon organisation.

    Download Document

  • NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy Update

    This Update by the NHS Sustainable Development Unit provides important information and additional tools to help your NHS organisation reduce its carbon emissions and become more sustainable.

    Download Document

Extended chapters - If you are interested in delving deeper into specific chapters of the Carbon Reduction Strategy we have included CRS Extended Chapters.