Sustainability
We continued to embed environmental sustainability across EEAST and used our influence with our partners and suppliers over the last year. Colleagues are increasingly interested in working in a more sustainable way.
Our green champions network continued to support activity across the Trust and worked on ways to achieve our green plan. This work was supported by our non-executive net zero lead to ensure full oversight by our Board. We updated our Sustainability Strategy and continued to review it to ensure that it steers the transformation needed to reach our net zero targets.
EEAST had new statutory duties relating to net zero and environmental sustainability through the Health and Care Act 2022.
- Whole building refurbishments included improved insulation, heating and lighting controls and new LED lighting across Wisbech, Weeley, Saxmundham, Peterborough, Mildenhall, Huntingdon, Downham Market and Braintree.
- LED lighting was fitted at Hellesdon, Longwater, Diss and Werrington (Benedict Square).
- We replaced electric storage heaters at Werrington (Benedict Square), Godric Square, Jedburgh Court and Parnell.
- We removed oil heating systems and installed a new air source heat pump and solar photovoltaic panels at our Potter Heigham ambulance station, which improved the heat distribution across the building and also reduced energy costs.
- More efficient boilers were installed at Hunstanton, Felixstowe, Brentwood, Letchworth, Downham Market, Longwater and Welwyn Garden City.
- We installed a new efficient garage heating system at Welwyn Garden City ambulance station which shuts off automatically when garage doors are open and redistributes heat.
Carbon footprint
Fleet emissions reduced by 24% since the 2019/20 baseline to 15,829 tCO2e exceeding our 15% emissions reduction target for fleet.
This was due to the move from Mercedes double staffed ambulances (DSAs) to lighter and more fuel-efficient Fiats, reduction in fleet vehicles and vehicle decarbonisation (hybrid and electric vehicles).
We received monthly Entonox usage data from our supplier which enabled us to measure our nitrous oxide emissions (which totalled 1,727 tCO2e in 2022/23). This was a 7% reduction on the 2019/20 baseline. The reason for this reduction may be due to increased patient numbers during COVID-19 periods.
Estates colleagues received carbon literacy training.
Our carbon footprint will be published on the web version of our annual report.
This showed progress against our net zero targets for directly controlled greenhouse gas emissions (NHS carbon footprint). We are working on devising our carbon footprint for emissions we can influence (NHS carbon footprint plus).
Our strategy to meet net zero was detailed in our 2021-2026 Green Plan which is available on our website under 'Our Corporate Strategy'.
We aim to reduce our directly controlled carbon emissions by 5% annually - aligned to our green plan targets to make an 80% reduction between 2028-2032 and to reach net zero by 2040.
Waste management
- We continued to install centralised dry mixed recycling and general waste bins and remove desk bins to increase recycling and reduce contamination.
- We renewed our waste management policy, a key process for developing a bespoke colleague waste awareness training module.
- We started to investigate other initiatives to reduce waste, like improving waste segregation on ambulances to reduce clinical waste and transferring to reusable sharps boxes.
Utilities management
- We reviewed energy consumption monthly, quarterly and annually with continual analysis.
Our utility invoice processing and validation service provider provided value for money by realising more than £15,000 in savings over 2022/23. - Our electricity, gas and water consumption and cost increases were offset by utilising the capital budget to invest in renewable and innovative technology.
- We installed half-hourly automatic meter reading on all our electricity and gas meters to enable more accurate billing and better visibility to target energy efficiency initiatives.
Fleet
EEAST is part of an NHS England and NHS Improvement electric vehicle trial called zero emission emergency vehicle pathfinder programme. EEAST purchased two Skoda Enyaq iV 80 RRVs and one Vauxhall Vivaro-e mental health/falls van as well as five 22kW dual chargers and one 50kW rapid charger which will be installed on Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Services’ premises.
The Trust established a fleet baseline of 2018/19 prior to the change from Mercedes to Fiat dual staffed ambulance (DSA). We reviewed fleet composition on a monthly basis tracking changes in vehicle by category, fuel consumption and vehicle efficiency.
We provided data for the 2023 Greener NHS fleet data collection, the first time ambulance services have been included in this national collection that supplies data for the NHS carbon footprint.
Electric vehicle infrastructure
We contracted specialist consultants, Arcadis Consulting, to assist us with developing our ongoing EV infrastructure.
We procured 27 mobile 40kW dual EV chargers. These are located at sites across the Trust. These provided flexibility by enabling us to trial EV charging prior to installing fixed infrastructure according to need.
An EV charge point management system was procured along with RFID cards for fleet usage as we decarbonise. The system has an app which enabled us to start offering electric vehicle charging for colleague vehicles and enabled us to take payment for the electricity used.
Electric vehicle charging feasibility surveys were completed for 22 sites, ranging from all three emergency operations centres to make ready hubs and small ambulance stations.
Procurement
All our electricity contracts are 100% renewable from non-nuclear sources.
We included a 10% net zero and social value weighting to all tenders over £50k.
We purchased 100% recycled, FSC and EU Ecolabel accredited paper and double-sided printing was the default option on all our printers.
The majority of current procurement colleagues completed the government commercial college social value training course, a personal development requirement for the team.
All colleagues were issued with reusable water bottles and the heatwave plan adjusted to only supply bottled water during protracted or remote incidents.
Wellbeing gardens and biodiversity
Enhancing the Trust’s outdoor spaces to give colleagues a chance to unwind, was a continued focus for the East of England Ambulance Service Charity. The charity helped to support several wellbeing gardens across the Trust, providing colleagues and volunteers with an area for relaxation, reflection and respite. Volunteers have even given up their own time to support these projects for their colleagues.
In 2022, we were given a garden created for the 2021 RHS Chelsea Flower Show as a space for staff to enjoy and unwind. It was donated and redesigned to fit the identified space at Chelmsford ambulance station by a local garden design and landscape company.
We started a partnership with Essex Wildlife Trust and the Nextdoor Nature Project to rewild ambulance stations. Work will commence in November 2023 to plant fruit trees, hedging and spring bulbs at Thurrock. Other sites are being identified for further projects.
A wellbeing garden was completed at King’s Lynn ambulance station and there are plans to develop many more.
Digital sustainability
EEAST worked with Circular Computing to buy remanufactured laptops rather than new. The company is a BSI Kitemark Certified Remanufacturer and a certified Carbon Neutral organisation.
In 2022/23, EEAST bought 762 remanufactured devices saving 241 tCO2e, 914 tonnes of resources and 144,780,000 litres of water.
The company plants five trees in Africa, India or the USA for every laptop purchased via a partnership with WeForest, meaning that 3,810 trees were planted on behalf of the Trust.
Other initiatives:
- Working towards zero IT waste to landfill.
- Reducing the power consumed by IT equipment by using smart software to remotely shut down PCs when not in use.
EEAST procured a high proportion of sustainable remanufactured devices which enabled a lower carbon footprint, all packaging was recyclable with old assets returned for recycling and remanufacturing at the end of their useful life, the positive environmental impact has seen the following certification from our vendors:
- 240,792kgs of carbon reduced.
- 914,400kgs of resources preserved.
- 144,780,000 litres of water saved.
- 3,810 trees planted.
- 0% e-waste produced.
- 457,200kgs of sequestered carbon emissions.