Sustainability

The Confederation recognises the dangers of increasing global temperatures to both the environment and our people; patients, staff and those who live and work in Hillingdon. We are committed to doing our part to meeting the NHS Net Zero Carbon Footprint by 2040 targets. 

Declaration 

The Board of the Confederation signed up to a Declaration that The Confederation will:

1. Recognise the impact of climate breakdown which is already causing serious damage globally.
2. Recognise the impact of climate change on the health and wellbeing of our staff and patients.
3. Support The Confederation, PCNs and practices in Hillingdon in their actions to achieve their sustainable health care objectives. 
4. Will support the education of staff and patients around the impact of climate change and the importance of taking action. 

Signed by The Board of Directors of The Confederation, Hillingdon CIC on 23rd August 2023. 

Carbon reduction plan for the year 2023/2024

A Carbon Reduction Plan is a way for organisations to understand how much pollution they’re causing and take steps to reduce it. It helps them set goals, track progress, and work towards using less carbon and becoming more environmentally friendly.

The Confederation Hillingdon CIC 

Publication date: April 2024

Commitment to achieving net zero

The Confederation, Hillingdon CIC is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2045.

Baseline emissions footprint

Baseline emissions are a record of the greenhouse gases that have been produced in the past and were produced prior to the introduction of any strategies to reduce emissions. Baseline emissions are the reference point against which emissions reduction can be measured.

Baseline year

2023 to 2024

Additional details relating to the baseline emissions calculations.

This is the first reporting period for The Confederation and current baseline can be found in the Current Emissions reporting section. 

Baseline year emissions

• Emissions: (tCO2e)
• Scope 1: N/A no directly produced emissions 
• Scope 2: N/A no owned estate, current sites sited in property owned by London Borough of Hillingdon Council and within existing General Practice surgeries across Hillingdon. 
• Scope 3 (included sources): 696,653 kg of CO2e
• Total emissions: 696,653 kg of CO2e. Total non-clinical kg CO2e per number of patients = 8 kg of CO2e

Emissions reduction targets

The Confederation emissions are entirely Scope 3 (indirect), from procurement, travel, waste, and energy use in leased buildings. We did not own any estate for the benchmarked period, therefore reductions based on these measurements were calculated though influencing partners, improving procurement, and operational efficiencies.  To continue progress to achieving Net Zero, The Confederation has adopted the following carbon reduction targets: 

• Target Year: 2028 to 2029
• Target Emissions: ~487,657 kg CO₂e
• Reduction: 30% from baseline
• Annual Reduction Rate: ~6–7% per year

Carbon reduction projects

The following environmental management measures and projects have been planned for implementation since the 23/24 baseline. 

• Declaration from the Board of Directors recognising the climate emergency and committing to support carbon reduction initiatives, signed 23rd August 2023
• Implementation of mandatory training for all Confederation staff ‘Building a NetZero NHS’, completed August 2024
• Development of a Sustainable Management Plan, in progress
• Enrolment in the RCGP Green Impact Toolkit, in progress
• Review of the Environmental Management Policy, in progress
• Implementation of waste and battery recycling, completed August 2025
• Education and awareness campaigns, ongoing
• Appointment of a sustainability lead. Appointed July 2023

Declaration and sign off

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN 06/21 and associated guidance and reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans.

Emissions have been reported and recorded in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the GHG Reporting Protocol corporate standard and uses the appropriate Government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting.

Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have been reported in accordance with SECR requirements, and the required subset of Scope 3 emissions have been reported in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been reviewed and signed off by the board of directors (or equivalent management body).

Signed on behalf of the Supplier:

Solomon Suulola
Associate Director: Quality, Governance & Risk 
Date: 1/4/2024

Sustainable development management plan 2024 / 2025

The Confederation, Hillingdon CIC is committed to sustainable development and supporting the NHS Net Zero targets locally. Our approach aligns with the NHS Sustainable Development Strategy and the RCGP Green Impact Toolkit.

Phase 1: setup and benchmarking 

• Board-level recognition and sponsorship
• Staff, patient, and partner awareness
• Carbon footprint calculation
• Environmental Policy update via RCGP toolkit  
• Collaboration with Hillingdon and NWL partners

Phase 2: identify key workstreams and internal leads

• Complete the initial Cabinet Office Carbon Reduction Plan. 
• Update communication and engagement plan 

Phase 3: enrol on RCGP toolkit submission for the autumn audit

• Project group set up with reps from every relevant part of the business
• Workstreams to be identified and allocated - sub projects, leads and phases to be clarified and defined
• Leads to populate RCGP Toolkit 

Phase 4: carbon reduction areas of focus and targets set

• Proactively linking in with partners and supporting overlapping initiatives. 

RCGP Green Impact Toolkit

The Confederation has enrolled on the Green Impact Toolkit with the aim of achieving recognition of the initiatives undertaken to support our Carbon Reduction Journey. We are currently working through the qualifying criteria. 

Updated: 6th October 2025