Tameside and Glossop NHS Trust win £14.4 million to cut carbon emissions

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust have been awarded £14.4 million through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) to support a major sustainability project aimed at cutting carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency across its estate.

The funding, provided by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix, will enable the Trust to replace its ageing gas-powered steam heating system with modern, energy-efficient air source heat pumps.

Alongside the new heating system, the project will introduce a range of energy-saving upgrades, including improved insulation, the installation of solar panels, LED lighting enhancements, and SMART metering technology.

Once complete, these measures are expected to reduce the Trust’s carbon emissions by 2,188 tonnes of CO₂e each year - the equivalent of a bus driving around the world 480 times. This represents a 23% reduction in the emissions directly controlled by the Trust.

“This funding marks a major milestone in our journey toward net zero,” said Gareth Hughes, Director of Estates and Facilities at the Trust. “By modernising our infrastructure, we’re not only reducing our environmental impact but also creating a more comfortable, reliable, and resilient environment for patients and staff. These improvements will help us deliver better care in facilities that are efficient all year round.”

Ian Rodger, Director of Public Sector Decarbonisation at Salix, praised the Trust’s proactive approach: “Reaching net zero is one of our most urgent challenges, and the NHS is stepping up with determination and real progress.

“At Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, this work not only cuts carbon emissions but also creates warmer, more comfortable environments for staff, visitors and, above all, the patients who matter most.

“This is the future of healthcare - sustainable, resilient and centred on people - and we’re proud to deliver the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to achieve this.”

The initiative forms part of the Trust’s broader commitment to sustainable, high-quality healthcare, ensuring that its facilities contribute positively to the wellbeing of patients, staff, and the wider community.

Recently, Tameside and Glossop IC NHS FT announced a Joint Green Plan with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, recognising that the climate emergency is also a health emergency. The plan builds on previous sustainability strategies, aligning both organisations to share best practice and accelerate progress towards net zero carbon emissions.