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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Welcoming NHS Grampian’s Commitment to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Submitted by: Mercedes Villalba, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour.
  • Date lodged: Monday, 18 December 2023
  • Motion reference: S6M-11678

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of NHS Grampian’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy: Reimagining the Health Service for People & Planet 2023- 2028, which includes a public commitment to decommission all of its nitrous oxide pipelines before the end of 2023; notes that nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas used as an anaesthetic by health providers around the world, which remains stable in the atmosphere for up to 120 years, with a global warming potential 298 times greater than carbon dioxide; understands that its global use, and associated release into the atmosphere over the past four decades, has increased exponentially and that nitrous oxide now represents one of the largest impacts as an ozone depleting substance; recognises that NHS Grampian is switching to the use of smaller cylinder storage, reducing wastage from pipelines and associated storage leaks; understands that this switch is estimated to save the equivalent of up to 1,274 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year across Grampian, which amounts to the same as driving around seven million miles and would take around 63,000 trees a year to absorb; notes that NHS Grampian’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy also includes restoring and improving green spaces within its estate and engaging in community planning with partners and communities to promote human and planetary health,  and commends NHS Grampian’s commitment to identify more sustainable approaches to practice at a time when, it believes, it is more important than ever to work collectively to significantly reduce emissions and improve the environment.


Supported by: Colin Beattie, Ariane Burgess, Maggie Chapman, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Carol Mochan, Mark Ruskell, Paul Sweeney