Paramedics and net zero: There is much more we can do to decarbonise our fleet

Although the role of a paramedic is increasingly diverse, most of this profession will have had some experience of being on the road in a dual crewed ambulance. As this is a common work setting, this seems like a good place to start when thinking about how paramedics can support a net zero healthcare service.It would be foolish not to discuss the carbon emissions from ambulances. These are large, diesel guzzling vehicles attributing to 87 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year in the United Kingdom. That’s the equivalent of 730 000 journeys from Cornwall to Glasgow1 and they are often not driven with fuel economy in mind.Various NHS ambulance trusts have done scoping work regarding electric or hydrogen powered ambulances, with several trusts trialling some vehicles.2 In 2021 at the 26th United Nation’s climate change conference (COP26), one of the world’s first zero emission ambulances was showcased.1 The decision…
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