Climate change presents a fundamental threat to human health. It affects the social determinants of health, exacerbates existing inequalities, and disproportionately harms the most vulnerable communities. In West Yorkshire, we are already experiencing rising temperatures, deadly heatwaves, worsening air pollution, increased flood risks, and growing threats from vector-borne diseases.
West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (WYICB) recognises its responsibility to minimise its environmental impact while enhancing population health. As leaders, we are fully committed to doing all we can to reduce carbon emissions, increase sustainability and protect our environment and our people. This green plan sets out our strategic response to climate change over the next three years, aligned with the national Greener NHS programme.
WYICB aims to support high-quality, preventative and low-carbon care, in line with the NHS’s goal to boost out-of-hospital and digitally enabled care, improve prevention of ill health and reduce health inequalities. We are working to embed sustainability across the entire health and care system—to deliver long-term health, environmental and financial benefits. The NHS is the largest employer in Europe and a significant contributor to carbon emissions. With such scale comes a great opportunity to act.
The NHS has set ambitions of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040 for direct emissions and 2045 for indirect emissions. This green plan builds on the progress we have made throughout the system and sets out how we aim to make significant progress towards these goals over the next three years.
It describes our priority areas of focus, aligned with the national guidance requirements, and outline the actions we are committed to delivering over the next three years. The priority areas of focus include:
- workforce and leadership
- net zero clinical transformation
- digital transformation medicines
- travel and transport
- estates and facilities
- supply chain and procurement
- food and nutrition
- adaptation and green space
- biodiversity
Mitigating against climate change and achieving an environmentally conscious, sustainable healthcare system is a complex issue. This refreshed green plan outlines how we will continue to work together with our system partners to drive our ambition forward over the next three years.
Our green plan is underpinned by the belief that climate action is health action. Achieving net zero, improving population health, and building sustainable services are not separate ambitions — they are mutually reinforcing. As strategic commissioners, we will lead by example, ensuring climate considerations are embedded into every decision, and enabling a greener, fairer future for everyone in West Yorkshire.