Low emission procurement The County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is looking closely at supplier level emissions. 80,000 suppliers supply England’s NHS with vital products however small changes could lead to big carbon savings, for example NHS England switched to alternative anaesthetic agents which lead to a carbon saving of 350 t per annum. The Trust aims to investigate supplier level emissions and take this into account when purchasing goods and services.
Protection of natural environment The Environment Agency has developed a business plan with a focus on environmental incidents. This means that the Agency is working closely with regulated industries in order to promote a circular economy, reduce waste crimes, illegal waste sites and high risk waste fires.
Flood water Flood waters can remove organic matter and minerals from soils which exacerbate the negative impacts of climate change, therefore Northumbrian Water Ltd and Durham Energy Institute are working together to use a waste from water treatment for soil enrichment.
Asks of Government • The Environment Act now written into UK legislation will enable further development of the waste sector and influence production processes. The Government needs to ensure that the resulting changes are adequately and appropriately funded.
• Announce plans for food waste collections as soon as possible, to enable local authorities to prepare for this significant change.
View action plan on page 106
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