September has become a time in Scotland to celebrate all things climate change and, despite not got getting too much sunshine this year, there is still lots to celebrate in terms of environmental sustainability within NHS Lanarkshire.
Every year since 2016, communities and organisations from across Scotland have come together for Scotland’s Climate Week.
This year, we are running a series of campaigns around our priority work streams:
- Energy
- Water
- Waste
- Greenspace & Biodiversity
- Transport & Active Travel
Since Climate Week last year we have been progressing several projects right across NHS Lanarkshire. Some highlights include adding to our electric small fleet vehicles, planning for the installation of Solar PV on 2 of our sites, improving energy efficiency in the Laundry and the work our Green Theatre Group continue to progress.
We have improved green spaces across several of our sites, and our gardening programme continues to provide therapeutic opportunities that have been hugely beneficial to patients and communities.
This year is especially exciting, and we are proud to promote the first Lanarkshire Climate Action Festival which is taking place from Monday 9 to Sunday 22 September 2024.
The festival brings together community groups, organisations and companies from across Lanarkshire and will host over 60 events and activities. The festival is being organised by the Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub, one of twenty hubs across Scotland that support community climate action.
The events and activities include a climate friendly cooking demonstration, information talk on energy efficiency, clothing repair workshop, growing workshop, try an ebike, foraging walk, climate conversation, tree planting and a litter pick.
A full programme of activities can be found on the Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub website (https://www.climateactionlanarkshire.net/get-involved/lanarkshire-climate-action-festival) and there is also a map for you to easily find events taking place in your area.
If you are taking part in anything on the run up to Climate Week please share your experiences and pictures with the NHSL Sustainability team (sustainabilityteam@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk)
Craig Brown, Head of Sustainability & Environmental Performance, said: “There are so many interesting activities planned across Lanarkshire covering all elements of sustainability.
“It really is an exciting time to learn about sustainability and climate change at a local level and expand your understanding of a specific subject that you are interested in. Whether that’s greenspace, cycling to work or cooking – there is something for everyone, get out there and learn something new or meet some like-minded people. I hope many of you can get involved.”
We would love to hear your own experiences as we head through September. Please share your snaps, stories and ideas by emailing us at sustainabilityteam@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
