A BRIGHTON consultancy has been working with NHS bosses in London to share good practice.

Low Carbon Europe (LCE), based in Ditchling Road, provides sustainability and energy management support to various organisations within both the private and public sector.

One projects especially close to its heart is The Planet Mark.

This is a certification programme recognising commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability.

LCE has been working closely with Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Hackney to support it in embedding sustainability throughout the trust.

At the same time the aim was to decrease its carbon footprint.

Homerton has now become the first NHS Trust to be awarded The Planet Mark.

It means the trust has shown good practice in:

l Measuring its carbon emissions from electricity gas, water and fleet

l setting a five per cent carbon reduction target for its 2017/18 reporting period

l Investing in the Eden Project to support education on climate change

l storing 260 tCO2e by protecting one acre of endangered rainforest through the charity Cool Earth

l committing to engage employees and suppliers to drive improvements.

LCE managing director Darren Jones said: “We are very proud to have supported the trust over recent years to achieve this prestigious award.

“We are very excited to build on the excellent work undertaken to date to help the trust meet its carbon reduction commitments going forward.

“We are excited to continue working with the trust to ensure sustainability stays in the forefront and continues to be embedded throughout the organisation, whilst reducing carbon emissions and consequently assisting in making financial savings.”

Homerton director of estates Chris Forster said: “Working with our partners Low Carbon Europe, and with the full support of our trust board, we have been developing our sustainable management plan and action plan to reduce emissions in the hospital and our community units.

“We have just appointed a new environment and sustainability manager to take this work forward as we seek other new initiatives to enable us to become energy efficient.

“We have a fantastic team of highly qualified, enthusiastic sustainability advisers and energy engineers who have industry-specific expertise and always work hard on creating bespoke solutions for their clients.”

Steve Malkin, founder of The Planet Mark, officially presented Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with its certificate during a sustainability roadshow hosted by LCE.

Staff had the opportunity to learn more about the trust’s achievements and engage further with the sustainability programme going forward.

Mr Malkin said: “The trust should be congratulated for what it has achieved to reduce its carbon footprint.

“It continues to look at being more sustainable.”