Scottish healthcare is one of the major drivers behind the country’s clean energy boom with net zero industries now contributing £10.2 billion to the economy — underlining ‘a fierce commitment’ to achieving climate change targets

That’s the belief of healthcare innovation specialist InnoScot Health which continues to encourage a collaborative, progressive push towards NHS Scotland’s net zero emissions target of 2040 which is benefitting from the country now generating around 97% of its gross electricity from renewables.

The clean energy boom is supporting over 105,000 jobs nationally as health boards across the country slash carbon footprints and generate major energy savings which are being redirected into frontline patient care and community services.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) recently reported that the green sector represents 4.9% of Scotland’s total economic output with more than 3,000 businesses now working in the net zero economy — a transition accelerated by a succession of international fuel crises and one that healthcare is using to its advantage in many areas.

In December last year, the Scottish Government announced that NHS Scotland’s overall emissions had decreased by 32% since 2015/16 partly due to clean energy partners identifying efficiency measures, optimised system use, and fuel switching, with Scottish Green Public Sector Estate Decarbonisation Scheme (GPSEDS) providing capital grants and zero-interest loans to health boards.

InnoScot Health says it is clear that the health service is reinvesting significantly with estate upgrades targeting improved energy efficiency, including the installation and deployment of solar photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps, LED upgrades, and battery energy storage, collectively resulting in thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions being cut on an annual basis and major cost savings.

Furthermore, the innovation specialist notes, over half of all NHS fleet cars have now transitioned to electric vehicles (EVs), while some health boards have achieved almost 100% EV fleets.

Innovation Commercialisation Manager at InnoScot Health, Fiona Schaefer said: “With the assistance of the right partners drawn from industry and academia delivering multidisciplinary expertise and identifying funding opportunities which realise value, the Scottish health service continues to make impressive gains on the road to net zero while building healthier communities.

“As the first UK health service to undertake a net zero pledge, NHS Scotland is focused on modernising its methods and infrastructure. It all serves to underline a fierce commitment to achieving climate change targets for both the environment and the economy.”

Vital Energi recently worked with NHS Borders, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Tayside, and NHS Forth Valley to deliver LED lighting, solar arrays, heat recovery systems, and battery energy storage systems, guaranteeing significant annual carbon and financial savings while overhauling aging, inefficient infrastructure.

Fiona added: “The strategy reflects our own sustainable ambitions for greener healthcare by leveraging both in-house and external know-how from across different sectors, as well as targeted education such as Scotland's six medical schools’ recent pledge to integrate sustainable, climate-conscious principles into healthcare education, in turn honing net zero-minded future doctors.

“We continue to work with Design HOPES (Healthy Organisations in a Place-based Ecosystem, Scotland) which is building on successes such as the development of a range of biodegradable, reusable textile products including theatre caps in collaboration with NHS Scotland.

“Opportunities to deliver greener innovation are there in abundance — you just need the correct lens through which to see the possibilities.”

InnoScot Health launched a sustainability innovation call in 2022 and is currently supporting Design HOPES projects like the Green Ward Toolkit, empowering clinical and non-clinical staff to implement sustainable practices in ward settings.