Southern Trust unveils their sustainability roadmap

The Southern Trust has launched its new Sustainability Strategy 2026–2030, setting out a clear green plan to cut carbon emissions, reduce waste, modernise the estate and build a more cost-effective and environmentally responsible health and social care system.

The document, titled Care without Carbon, commits the Trust to achieving a 48% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, aligned to the NI Climate Change Act. The framework supports the Trust's wider Vision and Strategy by strengthening long-term resilience, improving population health and ensuring best use of public resources.

The strategy focuses on six key priority areas covering estates, assets and utilities, travel and transport, waste management, carbon emissions, sustainable procurement, and greenspaces and biodiversity. The Trust will report progress annually and embed sustainability within governance, planning and decision-making across all directorates in the organisation.

Mark Bloomer, Assistant Director of Estates Services, explained that the Sustainability Strategy gives the Trust a practical and achievable plan for building a greener, more efficient estate that supports better care. "From improving our buildings and utilities to promoting active travel, reducing waste and enhancing our green spaces, every part of the organisation has a role to play. Sustainability isn't an add-on - it's essential to how we deliver safe, modern and resilient services for the future."

Catherine Marks, Director of Finance, Procurement and Estates, said caring for people means caring for the environment that sustains their health and futures. "With one of the largest environmental footprints in our communities, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to lead by example. This strategy sets out our promise to cut carbon, reduce costs and safeguard the health and wellbeing of current and future generations. Achieving this ambition will take collective effort from all of us- our staff, suppliers, service users and networks - and together we can make a lasting and positive difference."

The strategy marks a significant step towards building a more sustainable health and social care system that will benefit current and future generations across the Southern Trust area.