A CUMBRIAN NHS trust has launched its 'green plan' to mark Earth Day.

The green plan sets out how Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) will reduce carbon emissions to 'net zero' by 2040, as well as actions it will take to meet other sustainability goals by 2026.

Anna Foster, Trust Lead for Strategy and Sustainability at CNTW, said: “The NHS overall is estimated to be responsible for around 5% of all UK carbon emissions and 5% of all journeys on UK roads are estimated to be healthcare-related.

"In 2018-19 the carbon footprint of our Trust was equivalent to around 26,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

“Climate change and pollution pose a serious threat to the health of the people we serve. We have already taken some steps in recent years to reduce our waste and lower our emissions, but our Green Plan clearly sets out ambitious goals for providing more sustainable care."

The plan sets out 36 'actions' that CNTW will achieve by March 2022, when the plan is updated with new goals to be achieved by 2023.