Implementing and measuring progress

Emissions reduction targets

The NSW Government has legislated three emissions reduction targets for NSW through the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023, including achieving:

• 50% reduction on 2005 levels by 2030
• 70% reduction on 2005 levels by 2035
• Net zero by 2050.

NSW Health is committed to delivering the NSW Government’s net zero targets, including disclosing scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (with future inclusion of scope 3).

Understanding health system emissions

Scope definitions

• Scope 1 emissions: Direct greenhouse gas emissions that occur from sources that are owned or controlled by an entity.
• Scope 2 emissions: Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of purchased or acquired electricity, steam, heating or cooling consumed by an entity.
• Scope 3 emissions: Indirect greenhouse gas emissions (not included in scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions) that occur in the value chain of an entity, including both upstream and downstream emissions.

Figure 2: Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and methods of emissions measurement

Health system greenhouse gas emissions

The NSW Health system contributes to scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions. The below figure illustrates examples of NSW Health GHG emissions.

Figure 3: This figure illustrates most of the top 18 emission sources, however, not all sources of emissions are displayed

NSW Health's carbon footprint by emission hotspots

NSW Health’s carbon footprint is informed by detailed analysis conducted across selected Local Health Districts and Specialty Health Networks. The data was derived using a combination of top-down and bottom- up modelling approaches, providing comprehensive coverage of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emission categories (see Figure 2).

18 emissions sources which together constitute 80% of NSW Health’s carbon footprint were identified as key emission hotspots. Electricity is the most significant single emissions source, representing 31.9% of the total footprint, followed by electronic equipment (7.4%), staff commute (6.4%), medical building and construction (5.6%). The identified emission hotspots are outlined in the below figure.

Figure 4: The identified 18 emissions sources which together constitute 80% of NSW Health’s carbon footprint

For further information on the methodology, view the Appendix.

NSW Health's net zero pathway

Based on the 18 emission hotspots, potential emissions reduction opportunities have been identified against the six strategic priorities: healthcare, land and buildings, energy and water, supply chain, travel and transport and food services.

NSW Health has committed to achieving the NSW Government’s net zero targets. The below figure summarises potential carbon reduction opportunities for NSW Health across all scopes.

Figure 5: The projected reduction in NSW Health’s emissions across all scopes from the baseline year of 2018/19 to 2049/50

Proposed lead agencies and next steps

Based on NSW Health’s emissions profile, the below table illustrates identified agency leads who are responsible for developing decarbonisation plans and associated business cases for each of the 18 emission hotspots.