Wales analyses primary care providers carbon footprint

 A carbon footprint assessment of emissions for primary care contractors in Wales has been carried out by the Welsh government’s department of health and social care.

The desk-based study of the three emission scopes provided an estimation and did not directly engage with collecting data from primary care providers. 

It found the carbon footprint attributable to primary care contractors providing NHS care in Wales for the 2022/23 financial year was 227,627 tonnes of Co2 emissions.

Procurement emissions were the most significant at 84%. Of the 13% of building emissions, around 19% was attributable to optometry practices. 

The department noted this was the first step in determining a carbon footprint for primary care in Wales but hoped the report would provide a foundation from which to build.