At Pennine GP Alliance (PGPA), we understand that healthcare and sustainability go hand in hand. Our Green Initiative demonstrates our commitment to reducing environmental impact, improving public health, and creating a healthier, more sustainable future for our communities.
In December 2025 we were awarded the Bronze Award for Green Impact. More information below.
Why We’re Doing This
In October 2020, the Greener NHS National Programme published a strategy to make the NHS the first net-zero health service by 2040. Each Integrated Care Board (ICB) is required to have its own Green Strategy. National bodies, including the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the UK Alliance for Climate Change, actively advocate for climate action and highlight the direct link between climate change and human health.
Sustainable practices also bring practical benefits. They can reduce costs through more efficient use of utilities, waste reduction, and optimising travel. Demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability strengthens our position when competing for bids, particularly with a carbon-literate workforce and recognized achievements such as the Green Impact Award. Beyond operational benefits, people want to work in organisations whose values align with their own. Working together towards a goal bigger than day-to-day tasks creates a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Meet our Green Champions
Ella Fairbrother, PGPA Project Manager
“Leading PGPA toward a more sustainable future has been truly inspiring. I have personally enjoyed learning actionable ways we can all reduce our carbon footprint and better care for the planet. For example, I have started making my own laundry detergent and cleaning products! This change not only reduces hormone-disrupting chemicals and is kinder to our drains and aquatic life, but it is also incredibly cost-effective so a win win!
“I love sustainable tips that save money, and I highly recommend Nancy Birtwhistle’s books for practical ideas at home. By embedding robust green policies and procedures into PGPA’s daily operations, we will make a significant collective impact.”
Matt Davies, PGPA Digital Transformation Lead
“Being a Green Champion matters to me because the climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It can feel like we can’t make a difference at a small scale, but when we work together as an organisation, our ideas can influence others and create far greater impact – especially through our role in supporting general practice across Calderdale. As a Digital Transformation Lead, I see how digital innovation can directly support the green transition by reducing travel, cutting paper use, and streamlining processes that lower our carbon footprint. I am committed to helping PGPA lead the conversation, explore new solutions and embed greener practices into our everyday work.”
Debbie Taylor-Payne, PGPA Healthy Working Lives Advisor
I became a Green Champion to learn more about reducing my impact at home and at work. I do have an allotment and value being in nature. I do feel concerned about declining wildlife and pollinators. At work, I see there a lots of opportunities to share sustainable practices and the potential to transform unused spaces into Bug-Life inspired B-Lines. I welcome ideas from colleagues on how we can reduce our carbon footprint and boost biodiversity.
Joseph Aplin, PGPA GP Assistant within Central Halifax Primary Care Network
”I became a Green Champion because I want to help make our workplace greener and do my part to protect the planet. While I may not have all the answers, I believe it is important to take positive action where we can, and becoming a Green Champion felt like the right thing to do. Sustainability is important to me because the choices we make today can have a lasting impact on future generations and the environment around us. I am interested in all aspects of sustainability and believe that everyone can contribute through small, everyday changes. As a Green Champion for PGPA I hope to help King Cross Practice become greener. I hope to support our journey towards becoming a greener organisation by helping to educate colleagues, signpost people to useful resources, and encourage initiatives that reduce our environmental impact and pollution.”
Our Green Champions: Progress So Far
Our sustainability work centres around achieving the Green Impact Award, and the recruitment of our Green Champions has been pivotal in driving change across PGPA. Highlights include:
- Bronze Award Achieved: We are proud to have officially been awarded Bronze status for our sustainability efforts, recognising the hard work and commitment of our team.
- Team Diversity: Our Green Champions bring varied knowledge and personal passion for sustainability, creating a collaborative environment where everyone benefits from each other’s expertise.
- Monthly Meetings: Champions meet monthly to review progress, update the action log, and set priorities for the coming month.
- Communications & Awareness: Regular newsletter features and contributions to ICB key messages help share sustainability initiatives, such as free tree planting opportunities on NHS sites.
- Carbon Literacy Training: All champions have completed or are working towards Carbon Literacy training. This includes making two pledges — one personal and one group/business — which inform our future sustainability goals.
- Environmental Policy Development: Ella has drafted a new Environmental and Sustainability Policy, with feedback from Calder & Ryburn PCN’s Clinical Director, Dr Fawad Azam, and PGPA’s Medical Director, Dr Asif Yaseen.
