08 October 2008 - Green MEP for the South East, Caroline Lucas, today called for a radical transformation of the NHS to improve its shocking record on environmental sustainability as the UK’s biggest public sector contributor to damaging climate change emissions.

Responding to a government consultation on the environmental impact of the NHS, Dr Lucas – who is also Leader of the Green Party – has said that the NHS requires a complete overhaul if it is to transform into a greener and healthier machine.

She said: "The NHS in England is responsible for emitting more than 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. It is completely unacceptable that the country’s leading agency for public health is responsible for such massive climate emissions.

"Climate change is already having major impacts on human health. Extreme fluctuations in the weather will increasingly contribute to emergencies such as flooding, severe winds and heatwaves, putting increasing numbers of people at risk."

She concluded: "The NHS’s vast annual expenditure must be used to procure goods that are beneficial to people and their health. Health ministers and local authorities must seize the opportunity now to make real changes to the service, by running all NHS vehicles on ‘green fuels’, sourcing local organic food, and supplying its huge electricity needs from renewable energy sources."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Caroline Lucas MEP has responded to the consultation Saving Carbon, Improving Health – a draft Carbon Reduction Strategy for the NHS in England, deadline 30th September 2008. Copies of the response are available on request.