NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has launched a £500m framework agreement designed to help public sector organisations decarbonise their estates.

The new Decarbonisation of Estates framework agreement aims to help the NHS achieve its ambition of becoming the world’s first net zero national health service, and reach net zero by 2040 for the emissions the NHS controls directly.

The framework covers work including internal and external wall insulation, ground source and air source heat pumps, electric heating solutions, photovoltaic systems, ventilation systems and lighting works, as well as traditional works such as replacement of windows and doors, and solutions to tackle damp and mould in domestic properties.

The framework has been designed in consultation with the public sector and Greener NHS leads.

A key component of the framework enables estates managers to create greater value by combining decarbonisation works with their backlog investment works to create cleaner, greener and more attractive estates.

The framework allows buyers to use further competition and direct award across seven geographical regions. It can be used by all NHS and wider public sector authorities, including local government and housing associations.

Suppliers on the agreement include well-known multinationals and small and medium-sized enterprises. All suppliers have been assessed on their ability to reduce the environmental impact of service delivery through the use of ground-breaking equipment, decreased energy and fuel consumption, and the monitoring of data of retrofit projects.

Anjub Ali, senior category manager at NHS SBS said: “With the announcement of over £1bn for public sector decarbonisation in 2024’s Budget, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed funding for the next wave of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

“This new framework agreement will support the delivery of the NHS’s ambition in ‘Delivering a Net Zero Health Service’ and is a response to the profound and growing threat to health posed by climate change. It is geared towards helping the NHS modernise and decarbonise aged assets and buildings throughout the public sector’s estates.”

The agreement will run from 13 January 2025 until 12 January 2029.