Priory commits to achieving net zero emissions by 2050
Date: 24th May 2024
Priory, the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and adult social care services, has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The announcement was made this week by CEO Rebekah Cresswell as part of the launch of the organisation’s carbon reduction plan which details how it will be achieved and progress made so far.
In the short-term Priory’s aim is to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint – emissions which are produced directly by the organisation or indirectly through the energy it purchases – by 25% by 2025 and absolute emissions by at least 4% annually up until 2030.
Achievements to-date include delivering 100% of the electricity across all of Priory’s 290 hospitals and homes from renewable sources while, last year, 99.93% of the waste collected by supplier Veolia was diverted from landfill with 34.39% being recycled.
Priory has a rolling programme of replacing its oil boilers with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and air source heat pumps, and installing LED lighting, as well as offering staff the option to purchase electric cars via a salary sacrifice scheme.
Last month saw the completion of the first phase of an £11 million green investment programme with Priory Hospital Barnt Green as the first site to have new solar panels (photovoltaics) installed that will prevent 14 tonnes of carbon being emitted at the site each year.
The £100,000 project will reduce annual electricity consumption at the hospital by 30% and over the next two years, 80 Priory hospitals and care homes throughout the UK will have solar panels installed – reducing Priory’s annual electricity bill by £2 million per year as a result.
All of this work forms part of the ‘Priory Green’ strategy borne out of the three-year Priory Plan which focuses on ensuring sustainable funding and growth that supports services, uses resources efficiently and operates in a sustainable way for the environment.
Ms Cresswell said: “I am really excited to announce the launch of our carbon reduction plan this week and our commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 through adopting energy-efficient practices, using renewable energy sources, reducing consumption and limiting waste.
“We have also implemented a sustainable approach to procurement which minimises our impact on the environment by using products and services that meet eco-friendly standards from organisations that have a positive social impact.
“I am delighted by the progress already made and, by embedding sustainability and the environment in our Priory Plan and driving this activity through our Priory Green strategy, we will ensure there is no let-up in the pursuit of our long-term target.”
ENDS
Contact: [email protected]
About Priory and MEDIAN Group
Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and adult social care services. Priory treats more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across its nationwide network of sites. Priory also supports autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.
Priory is part of the MEDIAN Group, the leading European provider of high-quality mental health and rehabilitation services. The MEDIAN Group comprises: Priory in the UK with 290 facilities and 5,000 beds caring for 28,000 people, MEDIAN in Germany with 120 facilities and 20,000 beds caring for around 250,000 patients, and Hestia in Spain with 15 facilities and 2,100 beds caring for 11,000 people in Spain, with more than 29,000 employees across the group.