October 16, 2024
Climate Challenge Grants – 2024 Impact Report
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Why the Climate Challenge Grants were introduced
Climate change poses a major threat not only to our planet but also to our health. Factors such as extreme weather conditions, water and air pollution pose a major risk to public health.
As one of the largest public sector organisations in Scotland, NHS Lothian has an important role to play in minimising the environmental impact of healthcare, delivering services in a more sustainable manner, and putting green activities are at the core of their practice.
The Climate Challenge Grants provide an opportunity for NHS Lothian staff to introduce more sustainable practice.
How the grant works
NHS Lothian Charity Climate Challenge Grants are open to all NHS Lothian staff to take forward projects in their departments, wards or area that help reduce the impact of healthcare activities on the environment. Applications can be made via an online application form on the NHS Lothian Charity website. Grants are available from £50-£5,000. Applicants are encouraged to explore initiatives that will improve energy efficiency, increase waste recycling, reduce plastic consumption or reduce emissions from travel. Grants cannot be used fund costs which are considered to be core building management provision and projects must be delivered within 6 months of starting.
The story so far
Since 2022, NHS Lothian Charity has awarded 46 grants totalling £135,000 (a further 8 projects were supported through ward and specific funds). 60% of grants have been awarded to General Medical Practices across Edinburgh and the Lothians, the remaining 40% have been awarded to teams and departments within NHS hospitals in Edinburgh and 1 in East Lothian Community Hospital.
Climate Challenge Grants support NHS Lothian Charity to meet a number of our strategic outcomes which contribute to the final goals of:
- Enhanced experience and care for patients in hospitals and their communities
- A positive impact on health in the Lothians.
In line with the NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy, Climate Challenge Grants have been awarded to projects in the following categories:
– Sustainable Communities (28%)
– Sustainable Travel (28%)
– Sustainable Goods and Services (24%)
– Sustainable Care (20%)
Outcomes
Improved staff knowledge and professional development
Climate Challenge Grants have enabled staff to Increase their knowledge and awareness of environmental sustainability in healthcare with many staff reporting feeling like an ‘expert’ on their specific project, including the example below. In most cases, the Climate Challenge project was conceived by the staff member applying for the grant as they were particularly passionate about what could be tested in their area. In many cases, there was evidence of the team/department getting involved and working together on the project. Some staff members noted how their project made them more aware of other sustainability resources and networks in NHS Lothian, further increasing their awareness and understanding of environmental sustainability in healthcare across NHS Lothian.
70%
of staff awarded the grant reported their knowledge, understanding and awareness of environmental sustainability in healthcare has increased as a result of implementing their project.
I have become more active in sustainability within NHS Lothian and regularly go on websites and have been taking part in the various webinars and exploring what else as a department we can do going forward.”
Example:
Staff at Strathesk Medical Practice in Bonnyrigg used funding to switch from single-use batteries to rechargeable batteries for use in medical devices such as blood pressure monitors, oxygen saturation meters, thermometers and otoscopes. Although the practice have seen an increase in energy use recharging the batteries, they have reduced overall costs as not buying new batteries and producing less single-use waste.
Did you know…
– Rechargeable batteries emit 28% less greenhouse gases than single-use batteries.
– One rechargeable battery can replace up to 300 single-use batteries.
Improved non clinical practice
Findings from this report illustrate how Climate Challenge Grants have enabled staff to make changes to their behaviours at work or in their area of work. This improved knowledge and understanding have also prompted changes in behaviour at home or in their personal life, meaning a more holistic approach to mitigating climate change. A small number of projects aimed to influence patient behaviours as a result of Climate Challenge Grant projects, including the example below.
86%
of staff awarded the grant reported their behaviours relating to sustainability/ mitigating climate crisis changed as a result of their project.
Staff in our team’s driving behaviours have changed. Smoother braking, less speed and in return fuel efficiency has improved.”
Example:
7 pharmacies in NHS Lothian took part in a project to increase the safe return of inhalers. Many patients aren’t aware that empty inhalers shouldn’t be thrown in the bin. When inhalers end up in landfill, environment-harming residual gas from canisters are released into the atmosphere and are THOUSANDS of times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
Did you know…
Inhaler emissions account for approximately 3% of NHS carbon footprint? By simply adding stickers to inhaler dispensing bags, the project saw a 300% increase in inhalers being returned to community pharmacies after the use of the stickers for 10 weeks. This change in patient behaviour has resulted in reduced carbon emissions and reduced waste going to landfill.
Effective Resource Management
Some Climate Challenge Grant projects have enabled cost saving measures; changing to rechargeable batteries and the introduction of wild gardens in outdoor spaces to cut down on grass mowing are examples of this. Pilot projects using Climate Challenge Grants are generating less waste which is one of the main drivers of NHS Lothian’s sustainability strategy. NHS Lothian aims to reduce clinical waste in this current year (2024/25) by a minimum of 10%. Some projects have been able to save money and reduce waste, including the example below.
66%
of staff awarded the grant reported that, as a result of their project, they are generating less waste
This product is sensitive enough to be used by all ages. The change provides an overall improvement for patients, a significant reduction in single-use plastic, less environmental impact and even a slight reduction in cost.”
Example:
All hand therapy departments in NHS Lothian are using funding to replace single use plastic splints with a wooden alternative. The biodegradable splint materials are distributed in ecological packaging and produced with 100% renewable energy. The products are heated with a dry heat in an oven and modelled into the required shape. When care is complete, the splints can be disposed of in a compost bin at home.
Improved staff health and wellbeing
Climate Challenge projects have impacted on staff wellbeing alongside enabling staff to demonstrate and act upon their passion for climate issues. 26 grants had a staff wellbeing element included, 12 projects spent the funding on active travel initiatives e.g. e-bikes and all saw an improvement in cyclists’ physical health and wellbeing as a result. 14 projects created or improved outdoor spaces with the primary aim of increasing biodiversity but there was also evidence of how the outdoor spaces contributed towards an improvement in staff health and wellbeing, including the statement below.
90%
of staff awarded a grant with a staff wellbeing focus reported the grant improved their or their teams’ health and wellbeing
Many staff have commented how being in a green space has combatted the stresses of the working day in a busy laboratory. Also successfully producing food they can take home to eat boosts self confidence and wellbeing.”
Summary and legacy
Climate Challenge Grants have increased staff awareness and understanding of environmental sustainability in healthcare and led to positive changes in behaviours. Projects have saved NHS Lothian money and generated less waste, contributing to NHS Lothian’s sustainability goals. Projects have enabled staff with a passion for climate issues to pursue leadership roles and many projects have contributed to an improvement in staff health and wellbeing.
One of the main aims of the Climate Challenge Grant is to introduce climate friendly practices. Encouragingly, many staff expressed the grant was a ‘starting point’, with nearly half of all Climate Challenge pilot projects being adopted as mainstream practice and 41% of staff who were awarded the grant are implementing other initiatives.
Staff who have so far taken on the Climate Challenge Grant overwhelmingly feel they are doing their bit to tackle the climate crisis.
86%
of staff awarded the grant agreed as a result of the grant they/their team are doing their bit to tackle the climate crisis
The Climate Challenge Grants have given staff a unique opportunity to gain funding to pursue small innovative projects which promote NHS Lothian’s environmental sustainability goals. The projects to date have had a significant impact in terms of harnessing the talent and expertise within NHS Lothian staff, reducing our impact on the environment, delivering financial savings and improving patient care. Several of the projects are leading the pathways to environmentally sustainable care in NHS Scotland. The Climate Challenge Grant is a major springboard to an environmentally sustainable future NHS.”
Jane Hopton, Sustainability Lead, NHS Lothian
Climate Challenge Grants – Impact Report 2024
Will you take up the challenge?
Every member of staff has an important role to play in supporting NHS Lothian to achieve their target of becoming Net Zero by 2040. This funding will help you to implement changes in your own area that will contribute to this vision.
Thanks to NHS Lothian staff members who have taken part in the Climate Challenge Grant programme and to those who took part in this evaluation.