Summary
In July 2025, North West London Integrated Care System (ICS) published its revised Green Plan, setting out a clear three-year strategy (2025–2028) to support the NHS in meeting its net zero commitments and tackling the growing health impacts of climate change.
This updated Plan builds on the foundations of the original 2022–2025 Green Plan and reflects our strengthened ambition to reduce and ultimately eliminate, greenhouse gas emissions across the ICS.
Our Commitment
The climate emergency is a health emergency. The NHS is responsible for approximately 4% of the UK’s carbon emissions, and all Trusts and ICSs are mandated to develop board-approved Green Plans.
Aligned with NHS England’s national targets, which are based on the 2019/2020 emissions baseline, NW London ICS aims to:
- achieve net zero NHS Carbon Footprint (emissions we directly control) by 2040, with a 47% reduction by 2028–2032
- achieve net zero NHS Carbon Footprint Plus (emissions we can influence) by 2045, with a 73% reduction by 2036–2038.
We are committed to taking a leadership role across our healthcare system by:
- reducing emissions from care delivery, travel, procurement and estates
- improving air quality for our patients and communities
- reducing waste and single-use plastics
- embedding climate adaptation into our planning
- supporting the transition to more sustainable and resilient health services.
The NW London ICS Green Plan sets out how we will work in partnership with Trusts, primary care, local authorities and the voluntary sector to deliver on this ambition and ensure we leave a healthier, greener legacy for future generations.
What This Plan Seeks to Achieve
The Green Plan aims to:
- align with NHS national targets and policy
- embed sustainability into governance, decision-making and workforce planning
- drive progress across ten core priority areas (see below)
- standardise and share best practice across partners
- reduce health inequalities exacerbated by climate change.
Our Priorities
The updated Plan is built around our key priorities, each with measurable SMART targets:
1. Workforce & Leadership
Building a committed and capable workforce by embedding sustainability into recruitment, training, governance and staff roles ensuring everyone plays a part in delivering a greener NHS.
2. Net Zero Clinical Pathways
Redesigning clinical care pathways using sustainable models that reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and support long-term health outcomes.
3. Estates & Facilities
Decarbonising NHS sites by improving energy efficiency, reducing consumption, installing smart technologies and preparing buildings for climate resilience.
4. Digital Transformation
Harnessing digital solutions to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare including virtual care, paperless systems and smart building technologies.
5. Travel & Transport
Encouraging sustainable travel choices for staff and patients by electrifying the NHS fleet, supporting active travel, encouraging staff and patients to use low carbon transport options and expanding EV infrastructure across NW London.
6. Medicines
Reducing carbon emissions linked to medicines, with a focus on anaesthetic gases, inhaler disposal campaign, prescribing practices and sustainable pharmacy models.
7. Procurement & Supply Chain
Embedding sustainability into procurement by prioritising low-carbon products, implementing specific projects (e.g. reducing single-use plastics), and improving social value returns from suppliers. Aligned with the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap and Social Value Model to drive measurable environmental and community impact.
8. Waste Management
Minimising waste generation and improving recycling, reuse and circular economy practices across healthcare services and supply chains.
9. Food & Nutrition
Promoting healthier, climate-friendly food options and reducing emissions associated with food sourcing, preparation and waste.
10. Adaptation
Preparing health services, infrastructure and communities for the increasing risks of climate change through proactive planning, investment and service resilience.
11. Health Inequalities
Aligning sustainability efforts with reducing health inequalities by addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. Applying the NHS Social Value Playbook (July 2025) to drive environmental, social and economic benefits through procurement. Embedding themes like “Fighting Climate Change” and “Building an NHS fit for the future” to leverage purchasing power in cutting emissions and improving health equity across North West London.
Trusts Green Plans
Individual NHS trusts will develop and implement their own tailored Green Plans that align with the overarching sustainability goals of the ICS, while addressing local priorities and challenges.
Read more in the full NW London ICS Green Plan (2025-2028).