Building resilient cancer services that protect both people and the planet
In 2022, the NHS became the first health system in the world to embed net zero into legislation and set a target to reach Net Zero by 2040 for greenhouse gas emissions the NHS controls directly and by 2045 for emissions it can influence.
The Christie’s commitments to help the NHS achieve these targets, are published in our Green Plan 2024 to 2027. Efforts to deliver this plan and research to identify carbon hotspots, particularly in our radiotherapy pathways, are attracting international recognition and collaboration.
Radiotherapy is a key area for emissions at The Christie, being one of the largest centres in Europe delivering this treatment. Until recently, there was little data to indicate the potential carbon hotspots in different treatment pathways.
Dr Rob Chuter, a Principal Clinical Scientist at The Christie and Environmental Sustainability Lead in Radiotherapy and his team have been on a mission to change this and present their findings to as wide an audience as possible.
Examples of Dr Chuter’s internationally published research include:
- Towards estimating the carbon footprint of external beam radiotherapy (Physica Medica)
- A national framework for moving towards more environmentally sustainable radiotherapy: the green radiotherapy framework - Radiotherapy and Oncology (Radiotherapy and Oncology, ESTRO)
- Estimating the carbon footprint of an international radiation oncology conference and modelling reduction strategies (Radiotherapy and Oncology, ESTRO)
Examples of ongoing collaborative studies include:
- Hypofractionated Radiotherapy: A method to reduce carbon emissions and improve patient experience and reduce the strain on NHS resources – funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research
- A full life cycle assessment of the carbon footprint of Proton Beam Therapy - collaborating with the 2 other proton centres in the UK and the Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital
The Christie is committed to a greener future but, like many centres it is grappling with what changes will have the biggest impact. Through our national and international research collaborations we are starting to build momentum and gather evidence that we hope will drive forward transformational change not just in The Christie’s radiotherapy services but those around the world.
Dr Rob Chuter, Principal Clinical Scientist, Environmental Sustainability Lead for Radiotherapy
Across other departments, staff at The Christie have also been keen to share their experience with international audiences of projects that reduce carbon emissions, manage waste and improve biodiversity.
In 2025, a delegation led by the Singapore Ministry for Health Holdings visited The Christie to exchange experiences with Will Blair, The Christie’s Sustainability Manager, and the wider estates team.
Will is a passionate advocate for the changes urgently needed within healthcare facilities to reduce their impact on the environment. In 2025, Will also took part in a research study by the Bocconi University, Milan, comparing the sustainability practices in the English and Italian health services.
You can find more information on some of our green estates and transport projects:
- Electrifying Vehicle Fleet
- The Christie reduces its building energy carbon emissions by 10%
- Biodiversity Improvements - NHS England Case Study
Healthcare professionals from organisations based outside the UK seeking to exchange experiences or explore opportunities for collaboration can contact the-christie.international@nhs.net
Human health is dependent on planetary health as it is the well-being of the planet that sustains life. Healthcare providers worldwide have a shared responsibility to respond to the climate crisis and must embrace planetary health as part of their core mission. Through learning from one another we can build resilient health systems that protect both people and the planet.
Will Blair, Sustainability Manager