Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Biodiversity
• Sustainable Procurement
• Sustainable Communities
• Sustainable Care

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced building energy use by 6% (2396 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2021/22 compared to 2557 tonnes in 2020/21)
• Reduced business travel emissions by 43%
• 2% decrease in electricity consumption, 2.5% decrease in gas and 3% decrease in heating oil from 2020/21

Social Achievements

• Increased use of digital services to improve patient care and reduce hospital admissions
• Integration of health and social care to find alternatives to hospital admission
• See and Treat and Hear and Treat initiatives to treat patients at home

Governance Achievements

• Appointed a Non-Executive Board member as Climate Emergency and Sustainability Champion
• Appointed an executive lead for Climate Emergency and Sustainability
• Regularly considers climate emergency and sustainability progress at Board meetings
• Includes sustainability impact considerations in all Board reports
• Established reporting on progress through 2030 governance structures

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from anaesthesia and pain killers
• Reducing emissions from fleet vehicles
• Managing climate change risks (e.g., flooding, extreme weather)
• Balancing operational requirements with greenspace development

Mitigation Strategies

• Adoption of more sustainable care practices (digital services, integrated health and social care)
• Phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2025 (cars) and 2032 (all vehicles)
• Developing a sustainable transport and travel policy
• Completed flood risk assessments for all properties
• Developed a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan
• Developed continuity plans for adverse weather, fuel shortages, etc.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Updated procurement policy to incorporate Scottish Government's sustainability requirements
• Considering supply chain sustainability when procuring goods and services
• Utilizing sustainable procurement tools and guidance
• Broadening access to contracts for SMEs and third sector

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Flooding
• Extreme weather
• Higher average temperature
• Extended periods of hot and dry weather
• Heavy downpours
• Storm surge
• Cold spells
• Combined climatic effects

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Biodiversity
• Sustainable Procurement
• Sustainable Care
• Sustainable Communities

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced building energy emissions by 7.7% (from 2396 to 2211 tonnes CO2e)
• Achieved 70% recycling or composting of domestic waste (450 tonnes)
• Reduced waste sent to landfill by 26 tonnes (compared to baseline)

Social Achievements

• Launched 'Young Minds Saves Lives' initiative to engage young people in health prevention and employability
• Increased focus on treating patients at home to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and travel
• Developing a Health and Wellbeing Centre within the Glasgow South Station to support local communities

Governance Achievements

• Appointed a Climate Emergency and Sustainability Champion and executive lead
• Established a Climate Emergency Response and Sustainability Group (CERAS)
• Regularly reports progress to the Scottish Ambulance Service Board

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Limited resources and financial challenges hindering the pace of change
• Increased system pressures impacting waste reduction targets
• Need for additional capital and revenue funding to implement some actions

Mitigation Strategies

• Continuously monitoring the impact and risk assessment of slower progress
• Seeking grants for projects like LED lighting replacement and decarbonisation feasibility studies
• Proactively sourcing shared accommodation to reduce emissions

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Utilizing Scottish Government's sustainable procurement tools and guidance
• Mandatory requirement for tendering suppliers to confirm their position on climate change

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Flooding
• Adverse weather
• Extended periods of hot or dry weather

Transition Risks

• Fuel shortages

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate Change
• Sustainable Development
• Sustainable Care
• Sustainable Communities

Environmental Achievements

• Achieved a 5% overall reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions in 2023/24.
• Reduced NHS fleet travel by 4% and SAS Air Ambulance & Coastguard Search & Rescue fuel consumption by 11%.
• Reduced business travel significantly (from 1,768,666 miles in 2022/23 to 187,728 miles in hire vehicles and 640,640 miles in grey mileage in 2023/24).
• Increased recycled waste by 13%.

Social Achievements

• Launched the ‘Green Champion Network’ with 58 volunteer members to embed sustainable practices.
• Continued development of Pathways Hub, managing 25% of attended emergencies without hospital conveyance in March 2024.
• Increased capacity and use of Integrated Clinical Hub, avoiding over 55,000 ambulance journeys since April 2023.
• Submitted Anchor Strategic Plan to the Scottish Government focusing on procurement, fair work, land & assets, and partnerships to support climate change and reduce health inequalities.

Governance Achievements

• Appointed Vice Chair as Climate Emergency and Sustainability Champion.
• Appointed Director of Finance, Logistics and Strategy as executive lead for climate response.
• Established Climate Emergency Response and Sustainability Group (CERAS) to deliver the strategy.
• SAS Board agreed to an annual 0.5% reduction in emissions.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Insufficient funding to support the delivery of sustainability actions.
• Insufficient staffing capacity or expertise.
• Current financial challenges slowing down some planned actions.
• Need for a continually assessed and revised approach to delivering planned actions.

Mitigation Strategies

• Continuously monitoring the impact and risk assessment of slower progress through the CERAS group.
• Undertaking ambulance station audits to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Working with the SAS communications team to promote energy conservation.
• Developing an investment plan for sustainable buildings (planned for 2024/25).

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Updated procurement strategy considering supply chain sustainability.
• Mandatory requirement for tendering suppliers to confirm climate change position.
• Focus on durability and upgradability of products.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Flooding
• Adverse weather
• Extended periods of hot/dry weather
• Heavy downpours
• Storm surge
• Cold spells
• Combined climatic effects

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Electric vehicles

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed