Through the Net Zero Heroes project, staff have combined practical changes, infrastructure improvements and behaviour change initiatives to achieve impressive results, with some energy savings exceeding project targets. The success of the project is now paving the way for similar initiatives to be rolled out across the trust.

The project set out to reduce utility consumption at Bury and Rochdale Ambulance Stations by 20 per cent, helping to lower costs and reduce carbon emissions. Following an analysis of utility usage across the NWAS estate, the two stations were identified as some of the trust’s highest energy-consuming sites, making them priorities for improvement.

Molly Webb, Environmental Data Analyst, said:

“The NHS is committed to reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2040, requiring a shift to more sustainable ways of working. Rising energy prices and financial pressures also make reducing utility costs increasingly important. A healthier planet results in healthier people, and NWAS has a responsibility to reduce its environmental impact to protect the communities it serves.”

To identify opportunities for improvement, the team carried out detailed energy audits across both sites. They then tested a range of solutions, combining quick wins, infrastructure upgrades and behaviour change initiatives.

A number of low-cost changes were introduced to reduce unnecessary energy use, including optimising appliance standby settings and reducing the idling of equipment when not in use. One simple change to printer settings reduced standby reserve time from 50 minutes to just two minutes, resulting in a 29 per cent reduction in monthly printer electricity consumption.

The project also included significant infrastructure improvements. Both sites were upgraded with energy-efficient LED lighting, supported by motion sensors, zoned lighting and dimmers to further reduce consumption. Solar panels and battery storage systems were also installed, helping both stations generate and store renewable energy on site.

Alongside these technical improvements, staff completed carbon literacy training to increase awareness of climate change and encourage more energy-conscious behaviours in the workplace.

The project has already delivered significant results. Since October 2025, Rochdale Ambulance Station has reduced electricity consumption by 27.7 per cent, cut electricity costs by 28.1 per cent and achieved an estimated 27.7 per cent reduction in associated carbon emissions.

At Bury Ambulance Station, electricity consumption has reduced by 19.9 per cent, costs have fallen by 21.3 per cent and associated carbon emissions have decreased by an estimated 19.9 per cent.

Comparing March 2025 with March 2026, electricity consumption fell by 29.9 per cent at Rochdale and 19.5 per cent at Bury, demonstrating the lasting impact of the changes introduced through the project.

Chris Poyser, Group Manager at Rochdale Ambulance Station, said:

“This project has been an interesting and insightful journey, demonstrating that even very small changes can have a significant impact. Throughout the project, I have observed a clear shift in behaviour among staff, with energy saving now being more consciously prioritised.”

Building on this success, the team is now developing a change package to support the rollout of successful initiatives across the trust. Additional locations are already being explored as part of the next phase of the project, helping more sites reduce their environmental impact, lower costs and contribute to NWAS’s journey towards Net Zero.

The achievements at Bury and Rochdale demonstrate how a combination of innovation, investment and staff engagement can deliver meaningful change, proving that small actions can make a big difference.