We are proud to publish our Green Plan, the first joint sustainability strategy between NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and Devon Integrated Care Boards.
This landmark collaboration sets a bold course toward achieving net zero for scope one emissions by 2040, uniting our communities, health systems, and local partners in a shared commitment to climate resilience and environmental stewardship. Together, we are stronger, greener, and ready to lead the way in creating a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Climate change presents an immediate and growing threat to health. The UK is already experiencing more frequent and severe floods and heatwaves, as well as worsening air pollution. Up to 38,000 deaths a year are associated with air pollution alone, disproportionately affecting the most deprived and further exacerbating health inequalities. The impact of climate change will also be expensive for society and the NHS, with the national costs of heat-related mortalities from climate change estimated at £6.8 billion per year in the 2020s, rising to £14.7 billion per year in the 2050s.
As part of the NHS, the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and NHS Devon Cluster must play its part in reducing the environmental impact and carbon footprint of their operations. To protect the health of people in the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and NHS Devon we must:
- limit our contribution to the climate crisis, reducing carbon emissions and damage to our environment
- prepare for and build resilience to respond to increasingly more extreme weather patterns
- invest in keeping people healthy to reduce preventable diseases, improve the general health of our people and communities, and reduce the demand for healthcare
By reducing emissions, improving air quality, and creating greener, more resilient communities, the cluster will not only aim to meet its Net Zero targets but also reduce preventable illness, improve health equity, and deliver better value for money. This is not just about meeting statutory targets, it is about shaping a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable future for the people of Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly.
