A leading healthcare innovation body is urging Scotland’s net zero pioneers to apply cutting-edge learnings from a Glasgow gathering of experts and accelerate ambitions for a greener NHS

The second Decarbonising the NHS Scotland 2026 Conference is set to take place on Wednesday 7 October at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow as the health service continues its drive to hit net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 or earlier.

Picking up the momentum from last year’s conference, organisers say next month’s event will bring together more than 200 heads, directors and senior managers of sustainability, facilities, estates and climate change policy from NHS Scotland health boards, national and special bodies, and primary care.

Speakers include:

• Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Professor Sir Gregor Smith
• Head of the NHS Circular Economy Programme, Wendy Rayner
• Head of Climate Change and Delivery, Centre for Sustainable Delivery, David Taggart
• Head of NHS Facilities and Environment, Phillip McLean
• Dr Kathyrn Logan, Sustainability Manager at Public Services Delivery Scotland
• Director of R&D and Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC), NHS Grampian, and Sustainability Chair, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Professor Seshadri Vasan

Healthcare innovation partner, InnoScot Health believes the event comes at a crucial juncture.

Its Head of Business Development, Frances Ramsay said: “With the health service’s net zero target of 2040 ever more front of mind for a healthier country, meaningful change is firmly underway to decarbonise the NHS Scotland estate — and now is the time to review policy and progress while ensuring all are aligned and pushing in the same direction.

“That is where this important event comes in. Not only will it encourage fresh, innovation-driven collaboration, it will also help to foster the collective will which Scottish healthcare requires for galvanising all into collective, coordinated action.

“The conference will help to further provide the learning tools needed for staff to return to their health boards and help drive transformation by replicating proven models of care — exactly what is needed to accelerate net zero progress across NHS Scotland.”

The aim is to strengthen collaboration across the UK’s health systems, while encouraging cross-border knowledge exchange, and identifying opportunities for collective improvement.

The event is free to attend for public sector representatives.

The NHS Scotland — climate emergency and sustainability: annual report 2025 underlined NHS Scotland’s commitment — supported by the Scottish Government – to reducing its environmental impact and adapting its infrastructure and services to address the risks presented by climate change.

Frances added: “We’ve seen some major gains made on the road to net zero — from banning the routine operating theatre use of desflurane with its heavy carbon footprint, to a significant transition to electric vehicle (EV) fleets, as well as increasing installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, pipework insulation, LED lighting, and Building Management Systems (BMS), among other steps.

“The upcoming conference could now be instrumental in helping to establish Scottish healthcare’s roadmap to the next vital destination.”