To lead the way in fighting climate change, our bus service is just the ticket.

As the world’s fourth largest employer and Europe’s biggest single organisation, it’s not surprising that the NHS produces around one million tonnes of carbon every year. But what can be done to reduce this by at least 600,000 tonnes if it is to meet its target for 2050?

One of the biggest challenges the NHS faces is reducing the impact that the 15.5 billion passenger miles travelled by its employees and service users every year has on the environment. That’s why Addenbrooke’s Hospital, reported to be the largest single generator of traffic in Cambridgeshire, has launched the first ever public bus service to be managed by the NHS. Not only that, they also offer interest free loans for bike or moped purchases, sixteen rideshare cars and discounted weekly bus tickets. The result? Car use has fallen by 22% since 1999, whereas bus and bicycle use has risen by 13% and 4% respectively – around half of the hospital staff now take the bus or cycle to work.

“Food miles” is also another area that contributes to UK carbon emissions, so the NHS is leading the way in tackling this too. The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, in partnership with the Soil Association, has established the Cornwall Food Programme, which aims to supply increasing amounts of locally produced organic food to three Cornish hospitals. Not only will this reduce the carbon emissions associated with the transportation of food to NHS facilities by two-thirds, it will also help the NHS to support the local community by spending over 80% of its food budget in the local economy.

Other measures that have been taken elsewhere in the UK include the installation of solar panels and wind turbines, energy system upgrades, reusing and recycling initiatives.