NHS Shared Business Services has announced a landmark £500 million framework agreement aimed at aiding public sector organisations, including the NHS, to decarbonise their estates.
This initiative is a pivotal step towards supporting the NHS’s goal of becoming the world’s first net zero national health service by 2040.
The newly unveiled Decarbonisation of Estates framework agreement is meticulously designed to assist the NHS in directly reducing its emissions. The scope of work under this agreement encompasses a wide range of activities, from internal and external wall insulation to the installation of ground source and air source heat pumps, electric heating solutions, photovoltaic systems, ventilation systems, and lighting works. Additionally, it includes traditional renovations like window and door replacements and solutions to address damp and mould in domestic properties.
Developed through extensive consultation with the public sector and Greener NHS leads, this framework is an innovative solution that allows estate managers to create greater value by integrating decarbonisation works with their backlog investment projects. This holistic approach aims to foster the creation of cleaner, greener, and more attractive estates.
Anjub Ali, NHS SBS Senior Category Manager, said:
“With the announcement of over £1bn for public sector decarbonisation in 2024’s Budget, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed funding for the next wave of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
“This new framework agreement will support the delivery of the NHS’s ambition in ‘Delivering a Net Zero Health Service’ and is a response to the profound and growing threat to health posed by climate change. It is geared towards helping the NHS modernise and decarbonise aged assets and buildings throughout the public sector’s estates.”
NHS SBS's framework agreement is versatile, offering both further competition and direct awards across seven geographical regions. It is applicable to both public projects and domestic dwellings, making it a valuable resource for all NHS and wider public sector authorities, including local governments and housing associations.
Suppliers awarded under this framework include both renowned multinational corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Each supplier has been rigorously evaluated based on their capacity to reduce the environmental impact of service delivery. This assessment covers the use of cutting-edge equipment, reduced energy and fuel consumption, and the meticulous monitoring of data from retrofit projects.
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