A sustainability scheme has contributed to more than 44,000 kilograms’ worth of CO2 savings, Public Health Wales has announced.
Available freely online, the Greener Primary Care Wales framework was launched in June 2022 to help GPs, community optometrists, community pharmacies and dental practices reduce their environmental impact and has supported savings equating to four flights around the globe or boiling seven million litres of water in its opening year.
Public Health Wales’ Director of Primary Care, Zoe Wallace, explained: “At the end of year one over 100 practices had registered, including 162 individuals, and as a result of their involvement, an incredible 638 climate mitigating actions were implemented. These actions ranged from installing more energy efficient lighting options to reviewing their choice of business bank.”
As a result of its success, the project has been relaunched for a second year with primary care providers all over Wales being encouraged to participate in the programme. Some of the actions taken by participating practices are accessible in the Greener Primary Care Wales 2022 Yearbook.
Wales’ Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan, added: “The link between climate change and health is very clear. But while our health sector is working hard to combat the effects of climate change, it also contributes to climate change through its high carbon emissions and waste production.
“This is why it’s vital that NHS Wales services which people use the most, such as GPs, pharmacist, dentists, optometrists and other local community services become more climate-conscious and mitigate against climate change.”
