EMISSIONS in NHS Forth Valley have been slashed by a third as the health board made good progress in the drive towards net zero.

The findings, published in NHS Forth Valley’s Annual Climate Emergency and Sustainability report, revealed a 36 per cent reduction in emissions compared with the data from 2014/15.

The report also highlighted the ongoing work to improve the energy performance of Forth Valley Royal Hospital, which accounts for half of the health board’s total energy consumption.

NHS Forth Valley have also made progress in making the switch from petrol and diesel fuelled cars to a fully electric fleet by 2025, with 46 electric vehicles already part of the fleet.

Electric charging points have been installed in hospital and health centre car parks, with support in place to help staff switch to more sustainable ways of travelling to work.

Derek Jarvie, head of climate change and sustainability at NHS Forth Valley, said: “A wide range of actions are underway across the organisation to help create more sustainable health services.

“Nevertheless, achieving these aims will require an unprecedented shift in how healthcare is delivered, and everyone has a role to play.

“NHS Forth Valley will continue to build on the great work that has already been done, scale up activity and harness the energy and enthusiasm of local staff, patients and visitors to help deliver the changes required.”

These changes form part of the Scottish Government’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy for NHS Scotland which aims to be a net-zero health service by 2040.