Following the hottest summer on record, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has added an additional 452 solar panels on its hospital roof as part of its strategy to reach net zero ahead of the wider NHS target.

The panels form part of a new strategy ‘Critical Care For Our Climate’, which aims to build sustainability in key areas such as clinical care, procurement and supply chain, estates, technology, transport, education and engagement.

The NHS has set a nationwide target of achieving a net zero carbon footprint by 2040. UCLH wants to achieve this by 2031. For indirect emissions (those it can influence along its supply chain), UCLH aims to achieve net zero by 2040, five years ahead of the NHS England target.

Including the panels, UCLH has invested over £2m in energy saving measures such as LED lights in the last week.

Elliott Westhoff, UCLH programme lead for sustainability, said:

“The strategy has been put together after extensive consultation. We are grateful to all staff and our partner organisations for the ideas and enthusiasm they have contributed so far, and look forward to working with colleagues across UCLH to deliver net zero.”