Responding to climate change – and preparing for its impacts – requires coordinated, whole‑system action across Scotland’s health and care.
This need for action led to the first generation NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy (2022 – 2026) published in 2022. It established a clear and ambitious direction for Scotland: to create a low‑carbon, climate‑resilient health service that protects population health while ensuring the long‑term sustainability of our services.
Building on this foundation, the next phase of our ambition will be set out in a renewed strategy in 2027, which is now in development. It will set out how NHS Scotland will:
- Accelerate progress towards net zero and climate resilience
- Highlight important areas of progress since the last strategy document.
- Strengthen alignment across national and local delivery
- Enable focused, outcomes‑driven action.
Spotlight: Strategy in Action
National Solutions
At a national level, investment in a Scotland‑wide Climate Action portfolio is turning ambition into practical, system‑wide action.
The emphasis is on ambition, sustainability-led solutions and delivery at scale.
Local Delivery
NHS Scotland Boards put the national sustainability agenda into action locally. They deliver work across buildings, travel, clinical care, procurement and community sustainability, ensuring it aligns with national commitments.
Discover more about what’s happening at your local NHS Scotland board.
Reporting
NHS Scotland Boards report annually on statutory climate and sustainability duties. As major local employers, estate stewards and anchor institutions, they play a key role in meeting NHS Scotland’s climate targets, supporting biodiversity and reducing environmental impact to safeguard public health.