27 June 2025
An Emergency Department in England has become the first to be awarded with the highest level of accreditation for environmental sustainability by The Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s GreenED programme.
Announced today (27 June 2025), Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital has received a Gold accreditation, reflecting their commitment and innovation in driving and implementing environmentally sustainable practices within its Emergency Department.
The site is among 10 A&Es across England and Wales that have been awarded an accreditation today through the GreenED programme – achieving various evidence-based actions that are divided into Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.
Addressing these actions not only improves the environmental sustainability of an ED but contributes to national net zero targets and creates financial savings while maintaining or improving patient care.
Across 12 months, Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital implemented a range of actions including reusable personal protective equipment and suture kits, and successfully reduced nitrous oxide use by 96%.
The Emergency Departments that have achieved other levels of accreditation are:
Silver
University Hospital Coventry (Coventry, England)
Southmead Hospital (Bristol, England)
Bronze
Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital (Bodelwyddan, Wales)
Wrexham Maelor Hospital (Wrexham, Wales)
University Hospital of Wales (Cardiff, Wales)
Princess of Wales Hospital (Bridgend, Wales)
Prince Charles Hospital (Merthyr Tydfil, Wales)
Royal Glamorgan Hospital (Ynysmaerdy, Wales)
Morriston Hospital (Cwmrhydyceirw, Wales)
Together, these EDs have quantified an estimated 119.76 tonnes of CO2e* in carbon savings and £287, 806 in cost savings.
Dr Sandy Robertson, Chair of RCEM’s Environmental Specialist Interest Group (ESIG) which oversees the GreenED programme said: “Huge congratulations to all the EDs that have received their accreditations – including the first Gold – which is a landmark moment for not only Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital but also for the GreenED programme.
“Achieving these certifications is no small feat. It’s a testament to the dedication and innovation amongst our EM workforce who have implemented a range of initiatives to improve their environmental sustainability, reduce their impact on the planet, and by doing so, improve the health of our patients.
“Across the UK, Emergency Clinicians are treating patients who have arrived in our Departments with injuries or illnesses as a result of climate change such as, heat exhaustion, exacerbations of asthma, mental health crises, heart attacks and strokes.
“We must all take steps to ensure a safer, greener future for everyone.”
Dr Ian Higginson, RCEM’s President Elect said: “I am incredibly proud our College has been at the forefront of driving and embedding environmental sustainability practices in EDs across the UK and beyond.
“The GreenED programme, led by our RCEM’s Environmental Specialist Interest Group and Clinical Quality team, has now seen a total of 13 Emergency Departments across the UK accredited with either a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award. Amazing to see a Gold award already, that’s a brilliant achievement.
“We know that behind each award, is a team of passionate emergency clinicians which has implemented groundbreaking actions to tackle the climate emergency and contribute to national net zero targets.
“I look forward to seeing the continued success of the GreenED programme as more EDs begin their journey towards achieving an accreditation later this year. Get your department on board, sign up, and join the GreenED movement.”
James Walton, an Emergency Department Consultant at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, and GreenED site lead said: “Being the first emergency department to achieve a gold accreditation from RCEM’s GreenED program is monumental and a key milestone to have hit in contribution to Northumbria’s net zero plans.
This was a collaborative effort and all of the teams that have helped us reach this goal have shown dedication and a passion for creating a more sustainable future that positively impacts our patients, staff and wider communities.”
Since its launch in July 2023, RCEM’s GreenED accreditation programme has supported 42 UK-based Emergency Departments, including every ED in Wales through a collaboration with the Welsh Government, with the first five accreditations awarded last year.
Meanwhile an international pilot is underway in Australia’s New South Wales with 13 EDs currently working towards accreditation, and A&Es in Ireland have also joined the programme.
RCEM’s Environmental Specialist Interest Group (ESIG) and Clinical Quality team have led the development of GreenED, with support from Greener NHS, NHS Wales and Green Lab Associates.
Building on its success, the programme’s Framework has recently been updated, to incorporate new resources and actions for major EDs across the world to implement.
The next 12-month cycle starts in September, and registration is now open for sites to express their interest in taking part.
*CO2 equivalent (CO2e) is a standard unit for measuring the impact of different greenhouse gases on global warming, relative to carbon dioxide (CO2).
