Energy
We’ve already made a head-start on our solar panel targets; harnessing clean, renewable power at several hospitals and work is underway to begin panel installation on more facilities.
In coming years, solar panels will be installed at all our health facilities.
The $3.2 million solar panel installation at John Hunter Hospital will be the country’s largest hospital solar installation. It will cover 12,000 square metres (about 85 per cent) of the hospital’s roof space.
Our work will significantly contribute to NSW’s Net Zero Plan aspirational solar target.
Targets and measures
Our target:
- Zero electricity consumption from non-renewable sources by 2030.
Our measure:
- Reduce electricity consumption by 10 per cent every year off the 2020 baseline of 100,000 MWh.
Strategy
The following strategies will be implemented across all Hunter New England LHD health facilities:
- Install solar panels.
- LED and sensory lighting upgrades.
- Upgrade chiller systems.
- Upgrade to low energy efficient electrical equipment.
- Work with government and private stakeholders to explore and evaluate renewable energy opportunities.
- Reduce unnecessary energy usage through staff education (turn the lights off).
Progress
| 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 |
| Total consumption: 83,632,861 kWh | Total consumption: 83,197,811 kWh | Total consumption: 82,626,379 kWh | Total consumption: 86,244,307 kWh |
| Total emissions: 76,106 t C02e | Total emissions: 68,740 t C02e | Total emissions: 63,317 t C02e | Total emissions: 63, 234 C02e |
| Change from 2018-19: -9.68% | Change from 2020-21: -7.89% | Change from 2021-22: -0.13% |
Solar dashboard
Visit our live solar dashboard to view our solar energy production.
Waste
Hunter New England LHD is putting in programs to reduce and recycle waste. Our District aims to have zero general waste in landfill by 2030.
Targets and measures
Our target:
- Zero contribution to general waste to landfill by 2030.
Our measure:
- Reduce landfill waste by 10 per cent every year off the 2020 baseline of 3400 tonnes.
Strategy
The following strategies will be implemented across all Hunter New England LHD health facilities:
- Develop recycling strategies, targets and implementation plans for all waste streams.
- Develop and embed recycling initiatives with food and retail vendors.
- Review and update procurement policies and waste management procedures.
- Align HealthShare NSW policies and procedures with HNELHD’s sustainability strategy.
Progress
| 2021-22 |
| Total consumption: 3,771 tonnes |
| Total emissions: 4,6819 t C02e |
Water
NSW experienced a record-breaking, and arguably its worst drought from 2017 – 2020. It was the catalyst for us to introduce our key water sustainability initiatives.
Between now and 2030, our goal is to collect 100 per cent of the rainwater that falls on our hospitals’ rooftops.
We’ll also work with our hospital staff to find effective ways to reuse and recycle water.
Targets and measures
Our targets:
- Decrease our water consumption by 50 per cent from water utilities by 2030
- Rainwater is captured and reused at all HNELHD facilities by 2030
- Capacity for reverse osmosis to be captured and reused at all renal dialysis sites by 2030.
Our measures:
- 10 per cent of renal sites per year to introduce osmosis
- 10 per cent of sites per year capture and reuse rainwater
- Reduce water consumption from water utilities by 5 per cent per year for 10 years off the 2020 baseline of 440,000kL.
Strategy
The following strategies will be implemented across all Hunter New England LHD health facilities:
- Implementation of low-flow fixtures.
- Reduce and reuse water loss in cooling systems.
- Reduce water waste through leak detection and repair.
- Review water-intensive hospital equipment (sterilisation, food, laundry).
- Capture and reuse reverse osmosis water across all 11 renal dialysis units.
- Establish infrastructure to capture and reuse rainwater across all HNELHD.
Progress
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 |
| Total consumption: 335,912 kL | Total consumption: 345,763 kL |
| Total emissions: 68 t C02e | Total emissions: 70 t C02e |
| Change from 2020-21 +2.93% |