NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has unveiled a £500 million framework agreement to support the decarbonisation of public sector estates, marking a significant step towards the NHS's ambition to become the world’s first net-zero health service by 2040.

The Decarbonisation of Estates framework is designed to help NHS trusts and other public sector organisations reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. It covers a wide range of works, including internal and external wall insulation, ground and air source heat pumps, electric heating systems, photovoltaic (PV) installations, ventilation upgrades, and energy-efficient lighting. Additionally, traditional projects such as window and door replacements, and solutions for damp and mould remediation in domestic properties, are included.

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The framework was developed following extensive consultation with public sector stakeholders and Greener NHS leads. It offers estates managers the flexibility to integrate decarbonisation projects with backlog investment works, creating cleaner and more sustainable estates while addressing overdue maintenance.

The agreement allows for both further competition and direct award contracts across seven geographical regions, covering public buildings and domestic dwellings. It is open to NHS organisations, local government, housing associations, and other public sector authorities.

The framework features a mix of multinational companies and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), all rigorously assessed on their ability to reduce the environmental impact of service delivery. This includes the use of advanced equipment, lower energy and fuel consumption, and detailed monitoring of retrofit projects to ensure sustainability goals are met.

By enabling efficient and cost-effective decarbonisation, the framework supports the NHS’s target to achieve net-zero emissions for the sources it directly controls by 2040. It also helps public sector bodies contribute to the UK’s broader environmental objectives.