NHS Sustainability Plan Including Carbon Reduction for Birdie Box

Birdie Box aligns its sustainability efforts with the NHS Long Term Plan and its ambition to become the world’s first net-zero health service. Our strategy supports the NHS in delivering high-quality, sustainable healthcare while addressing the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions in dementia care and related services.

Birdie Box's Commitment to NHS Sustainability Goals

• Support NHS Net-zero Targets:

  Birdie Box contributes to the NHS goal of reducing direct emissions to net zero by 2040 and supply chain emissions by 2045 through eco-conscious operations and product design.

• Enable Sustainable Dementia Care:

  Birdie Box's remote monitoring, reminders, and digital memory tools reduce the need for resource-intensive in-person visits and manual caregiving tasks, aligning with NHS goals of improving care efficiency while lowering carbon footprints.

NHS Integration for Sustainability

Reduced Carbon Footprint in Care Pathways

• Digital Interventions:

  Birdie Box replaces paper-based care plans and traditional in-person monitoring with digital solutions, directly reducing waste and emissions.

• Increased Efficiency:

  By automating repetitive caregiving tasks and enabling remote check-ins, Birdie Box reduces strain on NHS resources and supports greener healthcare pathways.

Scalability for Sustainable Healthcare Delivery

• Bulk Deployments:

  Birdie Box can be deployed across NHS Trusts and care providers with minimal additional resources, maximising efficiency while limiting carbon costs per user.

• Support for Local Authorities:

  Partnering with councils to implement Birdie Box as part of dementia-friendly communities fosters a more localised, sustainable care ecosystem.

Carbon Monitoring and Reporting

• Baseline Emission Measurements:

  Establish a baseline of emissions saved through Birdie Box implementation, such as reduced caregiver travel or minimised hospital admissions.

• Real-Time Carbon Tracking:

  Develop carbon savings metrics within the Birdie Box platform to provide NHS partners with actionable insights into the environmental impact of its use.

Birdie Box Sustainability Commitments

NHS-Specific Sustainability Targets

• Achieve a 20% reduction in carbon emissions across dementia care pathways by 2028 through optimised use of Birdie Box.

• Reduce reliance on in-person interventions by 30% through scalable remote care solutions.

Long-Term Goals

• Reach net-zero emissions for Birdie Box operations by 2035 by enhancing eco-friendly partnerships, optimising software performance, and expanding renewable energy usage.

Benefits to the NHS

• Environmental Impact:

  Significant carbon reductions across care pathways, helping NHS Trusts meet their sustainability goals.

• Operational Efficiency:

  Streamlined caregiving processes save time and resources, reducing operational costs while supporting eco-conscious healthcare delivery.

• Sustainable Innovation:

  A scalable and adaptable platform that aligns with NHS sustainability initiatives, fostering long-term care improvements with reduced environmental impact.

Implementation of Birdie Box’s Sustainability Plan

Birdie Box’s sustainability plan is designed to align with the NHS’s net-zero goals and broader global sustainability initiatives. By leveraging technology, efficient operations, and strategic partnerships, Birdie Box ensures that sustainability is embedded in every stage of its product lifecycle and operations.

Product Design and Development

Actions:

• Digital-First Platform:

  Develop Birdie Box as a predominantly digital solution, minimising the need for physical hardware to reduce waste.

• Energy Efficiency:

  Optimise software algorithms and integrations to ensure compatibility with low-energy smart home devices, minimising power consumption.

• Eco-Friendly Hardware:

  For optional hardware components, use sustainable materials (e.g., recycled plastics) and design for durability to extend the product lifecycle.

Timeline:

• Design eco-friendly hardware prototypes by Q3 2025.

• Launch optimised, low-power software by Q1 2026.

Operational Sustainability

Actions:

• Green Cloud Hosting:

  Partner with cloud service providers powered by renewable energy to reduce the carbon footprint of Birdie Box's digital operations.

• Remote Workforce:

  Maintain remote work policies for Birdie Box employees to reduce commuting-related emissions and office resource consumption.

• Paperless Operations:

  Use digital documentation for all user guides, contracts, and internal processes to eliminate paper usage.

Timeline:

• Transition to green cloud hosting by Q4 2025.

• Ensure all internal processes are paperless by Q2 2026.

Partner and Supply Chain Engagement

Actions:

• Sustainable Vendor Policies:

  Work only with vendors who adhere to ISO 14001 environmental management standards and prioritise renewable resources.

• Ethical Sourcing:

  Source materials and services from suppliers with proven commitments to sustainability, including recycled or biodegradable materials.

• Local Sourcing:

  Partner with local suppliers to minimise transportation emissions and support local economies.

Timeline:

• Audit and onboard sustainable vendors by Q2 2025.

• Implement local sourcing strategies for key components by Q3 2026.

Integration with NHS Sustainability Goals

Actions:

• Remote Monitoring:

  Reduce in-person visits for dementia care by implementing Birdie Box as a tool for remote monitoring and care coordination, reducing travel-related emissions.

• Training Programs:

  Train NHS staff and caregivers on the sustainability benefits of Birdie Box to ensure effective integration into NHS pathways.

• Carbon Footprint Reduction:

  Use Birdie Box's features to streamline care processes, helping NHS Trusts reduce operational inefficiencies and associated emissions.

Timeline:

• Begin pilot programs with NHS Trusts by Q3 2025.

• Roll out training sessions across partner organisations by Q1 2026.

Monitoring and Reporting

Actions:

• Carbon Tracking:

  Implement a system within Birdie Box to calculate and report carbon savings achieved through remote care and reduced resource use.

• Annual Reporting:

  Publish yearly sustainability reports, highlighting emissions reductions, energy savings, and progress toward net-zero goals.

• Third-Party Audits:

  Engage sustainability auditors to validate progress and provide recommendations for improvement.

Timeline:

• Launch internal carbon tracking tools by Q2 2026.

• Begin third-party audits in Q4 2026.

Educating Users and Stakeholders

Actions:

• Sustainability Workshops:

  Host workshops for users, caregivers, and partners on how Birdie Box contributes to a greener healthcare system and how they can further reduce their own environmental impact.

• Community Awareness Campaigns:

  Collaborate with local councils and advocacy groups to raise awareness of the environmental benefits of technology-driven care.

Timeline:

• Initiate workshops for caregivers by Q1 2026.

• Launch community campaigns alongside Birdie Box's regional rollouts starting Q3 2026.

Continuous Improvement

Actions:

• Innovation Roadmap:

  Commit to integrating new technologies that enhance Birdie Box's energy efficiency and sustainability over time.

• Feedback Mechanisms:

  Use advisory panels and user surveys to identify further opportunities for reducing environmental impact.

• Policy Updates:

  Regularly review and update the sustainability plan to align with emerging best practices and regulatory changes.

Timeline:

• Establish an innovation roadmap for sustainable development by Q4 2025.

• Implement ongoing feedback mechanisms by Q2 2026.