Corporate services provider, NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched a ground-breaking "Sustainable Transport and Infrastructure" framework agreement.
This initiative is designed to assist the NHS in lowering its carbon emissions and achieving its ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The procurement framework agreement offers the NHS a streamlined approach to identifying and hiring fully vetted providers quickly and in compliance with regulations. This framework is particularly crucial given that transportation and travel account for a significant 14% of the NHS's overall carbon footprint.
The NHS is currently implementing a range of strategies to achieve its sustainable transportation goals, including transitioning to zero-emission vehicle fleets, promoting active travel options like cycling, walking, and carpooling, and exploring low-carbon logistics solutions.
The "Net Zero Travel and Transport Strategy" outlines the NHS's ambitious targets, including a 50% reduction in staff travel emissions by 2033 through a shift towards more sustainable modes of transportation and the electrification of personal vehicles. Additionally, all new ambulances will be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, and all owned, leased, and commissioned vehicles will be zero-emission by 2040.
Anjub Ali, Senior Construction Specialist at NHS SBS commented: “The NHS has set out ambitious goals en route to Net Zero 2040. Our framework agreement provides all NHS organisations with a convenient and compliant way of purchasing a wide range of sustainable transport services and infrastructure to help it get there.
“We have worked with NHS Sustainability, Estates and Procurement colleagues in designing this framework, and aligned it to fulfil the common themes which have emerged from NHS Trusts’ Green Travel plans, so it includes a range of suppliers providing transport and infrastructure-related services to support the NHS on its journey.“
The framework agreement provided by NHS SBS encompasses a wide range of services, including the design and construction of car parks equipped with solar panels for electricity generation and storage, sustainable transportation consultancy services, bike hire and repair, low-carbon logistics, and electric vehicle charging solutions.
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