Primary care decarbonisation project
What was the issue?
Primary care practices were under growing pressure to demonstrate progress on environmental sustainability, including responding to Care Quality Commission expectations on reducing the environmental impact of care, but many lacked the time, funding, data and specialist support needed to take action. Across Lancashire and South Cumbria, there was no consistent baseline picture of carbon emissions in general practice, making it difficult for individual practices and the wider system to identify carbon hotspots, prioritise interventions and measure progress. Smaller organisations in particular struggle to pay for external sustainability advice, creating a significant barrier to practical decarbonisation at the point it was most needed.
What action was taken?
The Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB worked with the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy to deliver a council-funded programme to support small primary care businesses to decarbonise. The programme began with a pilot involving four GP practices in April 2024 and then expanded rapidly, with more than 45 practices completing on-site sustainability audits and receiving Carbon Reduction Plans over the following 12 months. These reviews typically took around two hours and assessed energy use, waste, water, travel behaviours and building performance, with optional full carbon footprint calculations across Scopes 1 to 3. NHS-specific emissions such as inhalers and clinical waste were also considered, supported by input from the ICB medicines team. Alongside individual practice support, the ICB coordinated engagement, communications and lunchtime seminars on themes emerging from the audits, including waste management and building energy, so that learning could be shared more widely across primary care.
What was the delivering a net zero NHS benefit?
The programme created a practical route for primary care to contribute to delivering a net zero NHS by giving practices the evidence, advice and confidence to act on their biggest sources of emissions. Forty-five practices received high-quality Carbon Reduction Plans with practical, costed recommendations, enabling them to identify carbon hotspots and target interventions more effectively. Early analysis indicated opportunities to reduce emissions by up to 70%, equivalent to around 15 tCO2e per practice. The audits also generated a more reliable baseline for the system, helping the ICB refine its Green Plan 2025-30, shape future training and develop resources to support greener primary care. By translating complex sustainability requirements into manageable actions, the programme helped embed net zero into routine operational decision-making rather than treating it as a standalone initiative.
What are the wider benefits?
Practices were better able to demonstrate environmental sustainability activity in response to regulatory expectations, while also identifying opportunities to reduce waste, improve resilience and lower running costs. The project strengthened collaboration between the ICB, local authorities, sustainability specialists and primary care teams, and it opened further improvements through linked initiatives. For example, 250 trees from NHS Forest were planted on primary care sites, contributing to greener environments for staff, patients and communities, while four sites secured a combined £11,000 from the council for active travel measures such as e-bikes, lockers and secure cycle storage. Staff also reported greater awareness of environmental risks and carbon impacts, and the project helped create lasting peer networks through green champions, a dedicated MS Teams channel and a local Greener Practice group. These wider benefits mean the programme has improved capability, engagement and system learning, while offering a scalable model for other areas where funding is available.
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