In the run-up to this autumn’s COP26 conference, Spire Cardiff Hospital has launched a major drive to become carbon neutral by 2030.

It has just completed the installation of 78 PV solar panels on the roof of its outpatient building. Together with improved roof insulation, this is projected to save over 11,500 kg of carbon dioxide.

The project represents a £200,000 investment by Spire Healthcare, with the installations taking two months to complete.

The work is part of a programme across Spire’s 39 hospitals to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the end of 2030. Spire will procure all of its electricity from renewable sources from October this year. Further PV panel installations are expected to take place at other Spire hospitals in 2022.

Fiona Conway, Hospital Director at Spire Cardiff, said: “At Spire, we’re determined to play our part in addressing the climate crisis. We’re pleased that the new panels will enable us to make inroads into reducing our carbon footprint.”

“But the work doesn’t stop here. We’ve reduced the use of single use plastic cutlery and glasses, have made it much easier for colleagues to recycle on site and are monitoring our energy use in a much more forensic way.

“Next, we want to build on the enthusiasm of our colleagues for doing things differently, in a greener way, and we’ve appointed a carbon champion to work out new ways that we can our reduce impact on the planet.”