![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has accredited the first hospital emergency departments to meet its sustainability standards as it strives to support them in meeting net zero targets.
RCEM created this sustainability framework specifically for a secondary care setting and it has three levels of bronze, silver and gold. Since the launch of the GreenED initiative, 25 emergency departments have signed up for the scheme including all those in Wales.
In this latest announcement, five hospitals have been accredited, with two achieving silver standard for their work.
The College says that the sustainability framework approach contributes to national net zero targets and creates financial savings for emergency departments while maintaining or improving patient care.
“These accreditations mark a huge step in RCEM’s mission to contribute to solving the ongoing climate crisis. An environmentally sustainable emergency healthcare system depends upon the determination of passionate GreenED teams in hospitals across the country, and I highly commend everyone taking part in achieving the goals of the programme.”
Gordon Miles, CEO, RCEM.
The GreenED initiative aims to to measure and reduce the environmental impact of emergency departments in the UK, driving environmentally sustainable practices within emergency medicine.
Dr Susan Dorrian, RCEM West Midlands Regional Chair and EM Consultant at Heartlands Hospital, said she was delighted to receive the bronze accreditation. The team in her hospital formed in October 2023 and includes a range of staff in nursing, clinical, operational, admin, pharmacy, and paramedic backgrounds, with over 20 members working on projects at one point.
“Using the framework has directed our efforts in sustainable healthcare and has directed us towards creating a large network of colleagues across our Trust with an interest in tackling the Climate Emergency.
“We have had lots of unintended benefits of our work; free four-week bus passes for new starters at the Trust including our international medical graduate colleagues, money saving on energy by reducing monitor brightness and shut-off times, improved medicines management processes for our discharge medications and compliance with microbial guidance.”
For more information, hints and tips from those already following the framework, visit GreenED initiative.
To read similar articles, check out our Sustainability channel.