NIHR Carbon Guidelines

Guidelines to help clinical trials reduce CO2 emissions launched

Carbon Reduction Guidelines to help support health researchers in the fight against carbon emissions have been launched by the National Institute for Health Research. These guidelines have been designed to help the NHS meet its carbon reduction target as set by the Climate Change Act, through the publication of the Carbon Reduction Strategy for the NHS in England.

The NHS currently has a carbon footprint of about 21 million tonnes of CO2 per year, representing around 25 per cent of public sector greenhouse gas emissions. Research is a core part of the NHS and so the research community, with the help of the NIHR, must take appropriate steps to minimise greenhouse gas emissions from research activities.

The guidelines have been developed by researchers for researchers, with input from stakeholders across the NIHR, including clinical researchers and methodologists. The guidance provides a framework which identifies areas where sensible research design can reduce waste without adversely impacting on the validity and reliability of research. They were informed by a study which was published in the BMJ (http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/oct30_1/b4187).

Professor Dame Sally C. Davies, Director General of Research and Development at the Department of Health said: “Research is a core part of the NHS so the NIHR has a key role in reducing the carbon emissions from research. It is important that we continue to support excellence and act responsibly towards the environment.”

The full guidelines and a webcast are available to view and download from the NIHR website.

Background information on the NIHR Carbon Reduction Guidelines research project