Hospital staff, including doctors and nurses and those in other roles joined activities during sustainability days supporting Green Plans at two trusts. They took up opportunities to learn more practical ways to save water at home and at work, reducing unnecessary use.
The Challenge
Turning ambitious Net Zero targets into daily action across 6,000+ staff
In August 2025, the Trusts adopted a Joint Green Plan committing to Net Zero by 2040 for emissions they directly control (the NHS Carbon Footprint), with an ambition of an 80% reduction by 2028–2032. A further Net Zero target of 2045 was set for emissions the Trusts can influence (NHS Carbon Footprint Plus).
Hitting those targets means more than operational change — it requires behavioural change across clinical and non‑clinical teams at two of Greater Manchester's largest acute sites. The Trusts needed a partner who could translate the strategic Green Plan into practical, everyday habits that staff could take home with them.
Water is a critical — and often under‑measured — piece of that puzzle. Increasing water efficiency can directly reduce carbon emissions, but only if people know where their sites are losing it.
- The solution
Four‑part approach to engagement, data and proactive management
In a collaborative approach Water Plus and the Trusts are pairing on‑site staff engagement with enhanced water data — so behavioural change is supported by the visibility needed to track progress from smarter water strategies.
- The results
