Cheshire CCG sets out climate change commitment

Following the target set by NHS England boss, Sir Simon Stevens, for the health service to become carbon neutral by 2045, the Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has confirmed their support to decarbonise primary care and community health services across the county to tackle climate change.

The CCG now plans to expand work with local authorities in Cheshire to achieve NHS England’s target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. Cheshire East Council has set the more ambitious target of eliminating CO2 emissions by 2025.

The CCG has developed an action place and set up a Taskforce and Staff Activist Group, as well as secured funding to increase carbon literacy in its workforce as first steps towards achieving carbon neutrality.

In its Governing Body Meeting on 19th November, current levels of action of climate change were put forward, and the ambition of Cheshire CCG’s governing body was challenged. The meeting and action plan presented were praised by local environmental groups in attendance, hailing it as ‘great example to other NHS Trusts, business and public sector organisations.’

The organisation has also included in its strategic objectives that it will ‘commission environmentally and socially sustainably to meet the health and wellbeing needs of the population now and in the future’ and Cheshire CCG will prioritise climate change in its day-to-day business activities.

Cheshire CCG is responsible for commissioning a number of clinical NHS services across the county including GP services, community healthcare and district nursing, rehabilitation, elder care and maternity services.