ACB webinar facilitated by Abbott: The laboratory's role in achieving the NHS Net Zero ambition

Members were invited to attend an interactive webinar at ACB, facilitated by Abbott, covering the laboratory's role in achieving the NHS Net Zero ambition.

The session took place on 23 May 2022, between 2:30 and 4 pm BST, on MS Teams.

Thank you to the speakers who shared their insights in this session:

  • Stephanie Robinson, Business Development Manager at My Green Lab, who supports the growth of My Green Lab Certification, a route for laboratory operations, such as NHS Pathology Services, to reach Net Zero
  • Helen Dent, Chief Operating Officer at BIVDA, who manages the leading industry body representing over 200 diagnostics companies that supply into the NHS
  • Bill Leedham, Mechanical Engineering Technical Director at Silcock Leedham Consulting Engineers (SLCE), who carries out complex engineering projects including laboratory and research projects, such as the Pathology building at St James Hospital, Leeds
  • Jason Richards, Technical Director at Zero Energy Design, who specialises in building physics and energy modelling of the built environment to deliver Net Zero Carbon transformations in new and existing healthcare buildings.

Thank you to our webinar chair, Lisa Harrison, Marketing Director at Abbott Core Diagnostics.

Abbott logo

 

Session highlights

  • As NHS Net Zero is a vast and complex topic, this webinar focused specifically on Design, Construction, Behaviour and Supply Chain elements. 
  • Net zero policies aim to reduce carbon emissions to the lowest possible amount in any given situation. Carbon neutral policies, on the other hand, focus on not increasing carbon emissions and achieving overall carbon reduction through off-setting.
  • Emissions are classified in 3 different scopes. Scope 1 includes direct emissions, such as those relating to building, vehicles, heating, and cooling. Scope 2 includes indirect emissions under your control, such as purchased electricity and offsite heating. Scope 3 includes indirect emissions that are not under your control, but which you can influence, such as supply chain logistics and employee travel.
  • If behavioural change does not happen at a cultural level, then the carbon savings from planning and design work can be undone. Imagine a well-insulated home with triple-glazed windows that is designed for energy savings – if you turn on the heating and open the windows at the same time, the savings are lost.
  • Lab services can also apply pressure on their suppliers by requesting carbon reduction information, as this can influence their understanding of customer requirements and the speed of delivery.

Further resources

NHS England – Delivering a Net Zero NHS

NHS England – Supplier Net Zero timeline

My Green Lab Freezer Challenge

My Green Lab Certification

Stephanie Robinson and her team at My Green Lab can answer members’ questions through this form.