There are some excellent examples of work already progressed in this area including:
- Replaced LED lighting programmes across major hospital sites in Tayside
- Teams are working towards delivery of a net zero route map
- Three sites in Tayside have now been decarbonised using GPSEDs funding from Scottish Government. Works to decarbonise Westgate Health Centre in Dundee, Abbey Health Centre in Arbroath and St Margaret's in Auchterarder completed on time and under budget in 24/25 and teams are applying lessons learned to progress future decarbonisation projects in future as resources become available
- Removal of piped Desflurane and Nitrous Oxide gases from theatres across Tayside and progression of the Green Theatres agenda. We are also now exploring options to review Entonox gas use and emissions
- Work ongoing with practices to pilot review of asthma inhalers and switch to dry powder inhalers where appropriate
- NHS Tayside has now met its domestic waste, catering waste and no landfill waste targets and continues to work towards the 70% recycling target.
- NHS Tayside is making significant strides to reduce transport emissions whilst supporting Scotland’s journey to net zero. Currently two-thirds of NHS Tayside’s vehicle fleet is electric or hybrid, with 60% fully electric vehicles (EVs) and 6% hybrids. This places NHS Tayside ahead of the Scottish average and demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability.
- NHS Tayside has worked with teams from the Eden Project to plant of wildflower meadows across sites to support biodiversity and staff wellbeing
- A community garden has been developed on the Ninewells campus for staff, patients and the general public to access
- NHS Tayside supports the Walled Garden and various gardening projects in Mental Health and Learning Disability services
To find out more about the great work underway in NHS Tayside to reduce our carbon footprint by lowering our emissions, visit our Climate Change and Sustainability
Green Champions
NHS Tayside has successfully launched its Green Champions Programme in 2025 to support staff with an interest in sustainability to network with colleagues and share learning and best practice. The Champions have undertaken national training modules and have attended multiple lunchtime webinars highlighting the work being progressed in NHS Tayside. There is a teams channel of information, training events, networking opportunities and project ideas that the champions can share with their wider teams to get more people involved.
If you are a staff member and passionate about reducing your carbon footprint then please find out more about being a staff Green Champions or email tay.climatechange@nhs.scot to sign up