The NHS saved £50 million in energy costs for the 2013/2014 financial year.

The figure has been revealed in its ‘2015 Evidence Report’ launched today which highlights the work carried out by NHS Trusts in the last 12 months to boost sustainability and tackle climate change.

It stated it has reduced energy use by 1.9% and saved 120,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

It also decreased its waste by 33% and water use by 6% between 2007/08 and 2013/14.

To achieve the goals, the NHS introduced electric vehicles, replaced its lighting with LEDs, installed solar systems  and encouraged its staff to be more sustainable.

It also measured and reduced the carbon footprint of procured good and services which helped towards a “more sustainable procurement approach”.

Some of the projects included savings of £65,000 in one year at the Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust through behavioral change and more than £300,000 at Great Ormond Street.

Fiona Daly, Sustainability Lead at Barts Health NHS Trust said: “There is no doubt that climate change poses a significant threat to health systems across the world and that its effects will touch the lives of everyone who lives in the UK but with this threat comes a great opportunity to bring about practical change and empowerment, both in our health systems and in the communities in which we serve.”