Climate Challenge Grants

Our Climate Challenge Grants are designed to empower you instigate your own Climate Challenge projects at a local level, helping you to make models of care more sustainable for future generations, as well as supporting a ‘green recovery’ from COVID-19.

The purpose is therefore to:

• Support projects that will reduce the impact of climate change on public health and the environment
• Support you to deliver initiatives that have a positive environmental impact, reduce harmful greenhouse gases, and tackle the issues surrounding climate change
• Support you to increase your knowledge, understanding and awareness of environmental sustainability in health care

Climate change poses a major threat not only to our planet but also to our health. Factors such as extreme weather conditions, water and air pollution, and food and fuel poverty pose a major risk to public health.

As one of the largest public sector organisations in Scotland, NHS Lothian has an important role to play in minimising the environmental impact of healthcare, delivering services in a more sustainable manner, and putting green activities are at the core of promoting health and wellbeing among staff and the wider community. And we are here to help support them to achieve this.

As the official charity, and with a strategic focus on green health, we play a significant part in supporting NHS Lothian to meet their ambitious sustainability goals and commitments and make a meaningful difference to the health and wellbeing of people across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

There is huge motivation and commitment to embed sustainable practices across NHS Lothian. Every member of staff has an important role to play in supporting NHS Lothian to achieve their target of becoming Net Zero by 2040, and this funding will help you to implement changes in your own area that will contribute to this vision. It’s all the small changes that can add up to a major transformational change.

We believe small changes can have a big impact, every change you make to embed greener practices in your day-to-day activities can help to save the planet!

Think about your practices from an environmental viewpoint and consider what changes you could make in your own area; whether that be to improve energy efficiency, recycle or avoid waste, reduce plastic consumption or reduce emissions from travel.

It might be that you or your team need additional skills to help you improve your knowledge and understanding of sustainability in healthcare settings and how you can translate that into practice.

You could also consider how you could take forward initiatives that will help support a green recovery from COVID-19, such as implementing therapeutic greenspace programmes that support both mental and physical wellbeing or that make better use of sustainable food growing.

Yes. As the official charity of NHS Lothian, we work very closely with staff across the whole organisation to look at how we can complement and add value to the work that is already underway. These grants will support NHS Lothian to do more to build skills and capacity for developing a health service that is environmentally sustainable for future generations.

By complementing larger-scale projects with smaller projects through our Climate Change Grants, we can work together to make rapid, real and lasting change.

Grants are available from £50-£5,000.

No. You can apply for a Climate Challenge Grant at any time.

To apply for funding, you must be an employee of NHS Lothian responsible for delivering services that directly support NHS Lothian patients, or employed by GP practices contracted to NHS Lothian.

You can apply for funding through our online application system

You will be asked to provide details on the following:

• What you want to do
• Why you want to do it
• The patient group your project will benefit
• The difference it will make and how you will monitor/evaluate this
• Project costs
• Who you are working with on your idea

Unfortunately, we are unable to assess incomplete applications or those that do not provide a cost breakdown, so if you are experiencing any issues with completing your application, please do get in touch: [email protected].

We will normally keep in touch with you about applications via email, although sometimes it may be useful to have a quick discussion over the phone. You can state in the application form how you would prefer us to contact you.

All applicants must have read and agree to our grant related Terms and Conditions which can be found on our online application system.

• People, Partners & Organisation (improved skills and understanding)
• Sustainable Models of Care (service design for prevention and early intervention)
• Travel and Transport (reducing travel and encouraging sustainable opportunities)
• Greenspace and Biodiversity (making the most of the NHS estate)
• Environment (managing environmental impact from other resources such as water, pollutants and pharmaceutical waste)
• Carbon Emissions and Green House Gasses (contributing to net zero by 2040)
• Built Environment (reducing energy demand and direct emission)
• Sustainable use of assets (improved procurement, waste management and recycling)

For further information, visit: NHS Lothian Sustainable Development Framework and Action Plan