Meet the Team: Sustainable Development

Published: 12 October 2021

In October 2019, North Bristol NHS Trust made a public pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030. Since then, our Sustainable Development team has sprung into action! The team aims to deliver on the ambition to be a leader in sustainable healthcare and create a healthier and happier future for our local community.

What does it mean to be carbon neutral?

Being carbon neutral means creating a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon. Absorbing more carbon, in natural carbon sinks such as trees, soil and lakes, means that the organisation will have a less detrimental effect on the environment.

The Sustainable Development team

Asia: Nature Recovery Ranger Apprentice

Asia’s role is funded by the UK Government’s Green Recovery Fund through the Centre of Sustainable Healthcare. Asia supports the work of our Nature Recovery Ranger, Phoebe.

Beth: Sustainability Project Officer

Beth leads on sustainable travel initiatives to make it an easy option for staff, patients and visitors. Initiatives include a bike loan scheme, free bike safety checks, and personal travel plans.

Esther: Sustainable Development Manager

Esther coordinates sustainable development activities across the Trust and while working to achieve the commitment of being an anchor in the community.

Grace: Sustainability Project Officer

Grace is focused on increasing staff engagement with sustainability through improving understanding and supporting staff teams to make sustainable changes in their lives at home and work.

Megan: Environmental Management Systems Coordinator

Megan is responsible for maintaining the Environmental Management System through which the Trust can evaluate and mitigate any adverse impact on the environment.

Phoebe: Nature Recovery Ranger

Phoebe’s role is funded by the UK Government’s Green Recovery Fund through the Centre of Sustainable Healthcare. Phoebe works to improve the biodiversity of the site by making it a cleaner and greener place to be for staff, patients and the local community.

What has the Sustainable Development team achieved so far?

Over the last two years, the Sustainable Development team has overseen some of the following projects.

Removed single-use plastic items such as straws, stirrers, and cutlery from on-site cafes and restaurants.
Promoted sustainable and active travel choices to staff to improve health and wellbeing. From April 2020 to April 2021, the team loaned 95 bikes and offered 169 free bike safety checks to staff.
Opened an allotment at Southmead Hospital to grow fruit and vegetables, improve biodiversity and create natural carbon sinks. The team also took part in No Mow May for the first time. This allowed wildflowers to grow across our green spaces and supported ten times more bees and pollinators.
Run events to increase a passion for nature among staff. Events include walks, berry picking, hay harvesting, wild seed collection, butterfly and flower surveys, and wildflower identification.
Staff now opt for intravenous methods of anaesthetic where appropriate, rather than gases, for operations. This method of intravenous anaesthetic has a much lower carbon footprint.
Focused on staff engagement to encourage 22 teams around the Trust to make sustainable changes to reduce carbon emissions.
Hired a Carbon & Energy Manager to make energy efficiencies and move from oil and gas systems to electric.

How your donations help tackle climate change

Your donations are helping our hospitals on the journey to become carbon neutral by 2030.

“From the herb garden on top of the Brunel Building, which provides a nice space for staff breaks, as well as herbs for patient and staff meals, to the green gym which gives people a free and accessible space to enjoy outdoor exercise, your donations are making such a positive difference to the environment here.

“With your continued support and donations, we can do so much more for staff, patients and the local community.”