We are one of the largest employers in the region, we have a significant opportunity as a Trust to lead the way in promoting the sustainability agenda and we will use our influence to embed sustainability throughout our organisation and the wider region. We will work with our local partners across Barnsley and South Yorkshire to create sustainable change and help meet internal, local and national objectives. To meet our targets and become a truly sustainable organisation, we will also require the continued dedication of all our staff in delivering this Green Plan.

2024-25 achievements by focus area

Energy & carbon reduction

• LED lighting upgrade: Over 95% of site lighting converted to energy-efficient LEDs, funded by a £420,000 grant, saving 404 tonnes of CO₂e annually. This project has placed Barnsley Hospital among the top ten NHS Trusts nationally for LED adoption.
• Sub-metering: Installed via a £43,000 NHS Energy Efficiency Fund, enabling more accurate energy monitoring and improved energy efficiency as well as providing data to support future bids.
• Desflurane: Elimination of desflurane anaesthetic gas in Theatres, reducing emissions 161 tonnes CO₂e annually.
• Energy policy: New energy policy aligns with our Green Plan to ensure sustainable energy principles are embedded in both capital and operational planning.
• EV charging: Existing EV chargers delivered 120,000 kWh over the year, saving 67 tCO2e
• Operational efficiency: Through our Energy Efficiency Group, theatre time schedules have been optimised, saving £21,000 and 29 tonnes of carbon emissions
• ISO 14001 accreditation: Barnsley Facilities Services Limited achieved this environmental management standard.

Sustainable procurement and waste reduction

• Digitalisation: Our ongoing digitalisation programme has reduced paper use by approximately 200,000 pages per month through targeted action in high-usage areas
• Recycling Theatres: Introduction of metal waste recycling in theatres
• Zero Waste to Landfill: None of Trust's waste is sent to landfill, ensuring responsible disposal and maximum diversion through recycling, recovery, or energy conversion
• Product switch: Blood gas syringes with needles have been switched to syringes without needles in ED, saving £9.6k and 2.8 tCO2e per annum
• Embedding Social Value: Procurement tenders now include social value, ensuring suppliers contribute to our environmental and social goals.

Buildings and green spaces

• Sustainability Capital Projects: All new installations now meet high efficiency standards
• Staff garden: A Green space has been offered to staff to plant and maintain their own garden to improve their health and wellbeing
• Wildflower Meadow: Planted near the waste yard to enhance biodiversity and support pollinators.

Sustainable travel

• Active Travel Support: 12 free electric bikes issued to staff in partnership with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
• Dr Bike Clinics:  Free bike repair sessions offered for staff, patients and visitors
• Cycle Storage: Expanded to secure over 100 bikes
• Exclusion Zone: Maintained a 1-mile exclusion zone on parking permits to promote walking, cycling, and public transport.

Governance, risk management, and performance

Environmental sustainability is overseen by a dedicated Sustainability Group with an Executive Sponsor. Regular progress updates against the Green Action Plan are provided to the Executive Team, Finance and Performance Committee, and the Trust Board. Climate-related risks are integrated in the corporate risk register, with Heatwave and severe weather plans in place and timely warnings issued to key operational staff. Strategic suppliers are coordinated during high-risk periods to maintain service continuity. Sustainability requirements are also embedded in capital investment decisions to mitigate future climate risks and rising energy costs.

2025-26 priorities

Looking ahead, our focus is on accelerating impact, to build on our successes and continue the momentum:

• LED completion: We aim to achieve 100% LED coverage by upgrading the final two wards
• Renewable energy: Installation of over 1,000 solar PV panels by mid-2025 (funded by a £677k grant from the National Energy Efficiency Fund)
• Decarbonise IT building: Install a 29kWp solar array with a low-carbon heat pump and making improvements to the building fabric (funded by a £399k Salix grant)
• Refreshing our green plan: Publish an updated Green Plan by October 2025, reflecting new NHS guidance and local priorities
• Heat networks and funding opportunities: Explore heat network connections with strategic partners and further decarbonisation funding opportunities
• EV charging expansion: Extend EV charging points to 30 as part of the Hilder House acquisition. 

Challenges and commitments

We have made considerable progress in 2024/25, but despite this, we acknowledge ongoing challenges ahead, including securing long-term funding for decarbonisation projects, managing the end-of-life of existing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, and balancing the transition costs away from fossil fuels. Despite these challenges, we remain firmly committed to achieving our ‘Best for Planet’ objective and playing a leading role in delivering a healthier, more sustainable future for Barnsley and our wider communities and partners.

Our Green Plan ambitions are explained further in the link.