Year of Green activity (YOGA)

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The aim was simple: before people will act on climate change, they need to understand why it matters to them and why it is a trade union issue.

The STUC Just Transition session explored what climate change is, how we got here, and who is really responsible. Too often the discussion focuses on individual behaviour, making us feel like the problem is caused by us not recycling properly, or not switching to the recycled paper packaging option at the supermarket. When the reality is that the biggest emissions come from the wealthiest households and the wealthiest and largest corporations. In Scotland, the top 20% of households produce more emissions from flights alone than the bottom 20% produce in their entire yearly carbon footprint, and this trend is continued across the developed world. 

We also discussed how political decisions shape the crisis. Military activity and warfare release huge amounts of carbon, yet these emissions are often excluded from national reporting. At the same time, ordinary people are told to make small lifestyle changes and made to feel like they are the problem,  whilst global leaders continue policies that worsen the problem.

For trade unions, the key point is clear: climate change is a working-class issue. Those who contribute the least to the crisis will face the greatest impacts, from extreme weather to increased pressure on public services like the NHS.

The session also created useful connections. At the meeting I introduced STUC Just Transition to our regional officer and the branch lifelong learning representative, so this galvanising message can reach more UNISON branches. We hope this will lead to further political education sessions returning to our branch and helping build awareness and organising around climate justice across UNISON.

Thank you,

Tamzyn Macfarlane - UNISON Lothian Health 

For more information on STUC Just Transition project visit https://www.stuc.org.uk/projects-just-transition/

For more information on YOGA visit https://www.unison.org.uk/events/tag/year-of-green-activity/

Our Environmental Officer Tamzyn Macfarlane launched UNISON’s Year of the Green Activity (YOGA) in NHS Lothian, with our first roadshow of the year at East Lothian Community Hospital on the 10th March 2026.

We met some fantastic staff and would like to thank everyone for warmly welcoming me and my fellow UNISON colleagues, as well as extend a special thank you to our East Lothian convenor Jordan Millar for their support. It was great to see so many pledges of Green Activity that will continue to make a difference moving forward. There was lots of interest at the stall from staff, visitors, and patients alike, showing that we are taking the issue of climate change seriously and standing up for all of us.

Through raising awareness, including posters highlighting existing carbon mitigation schemes within the NHS, we had valuable conversations, particularly noting that many staff were unaware of the importance of returning used asthma inhalers to pharmacies. We also shared practical tips, such as improving bin positioning to help reduce non-clinical waste being disposed of in clinical waste bins. 

We also captured some great photos with Tamzyn’s handmade photo frame representing YOGA, helping to celebrate everyone’s involvement and commitment.

Visit the Picture Wall below to see the pictures from the Roadshow and other YOGA events.

Year of Green Activity 2026: Roadshow 2 at St John’s Hospital

The second roadshow of UNISON’s Year of Green Activity 2026 national campaign took place at St John’s Hospital. It proved to be another inspiring and engaging event, and as such we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Margaret McFarland, Michelle McFarlane, and Angela Howard for their warm welcome and support in hosting the roadshow. Their enthusiasm helped create a positive and collaborative atmosphere for all staff to get involved.

It was encouraging to see such strong engagement from staff across the site. Many colleagues made meaningful pledges to support greener ways of working and living. 

These included commitments to:

· Stop buying bottled water

· Continue using public transport

· Reduce single glove use where appropriate

· Make use of electric vehicles

· Consider environmental impact when making purchases

These pledges reflect a growing awareness and commitment to reducing carbon emissions within our workplaces.

During discussions, staff also highlighted a concern about excessive heating in one area of the hospital, where windows cannot be opened. This is an important issue, particularly as we approach the warmer months. Staff have agreed to raise a DATIX report to escalate the concern and seek a resolution before summer temperatures increase.

The visit also gave us the opportunity to enjoy the excellent canteen facilities and food on site, a reminder of the importance of supporting local, sustainable services within our workplaces.

We here at UNISON would like to thank all staff at St John’s for their enthusiasm, ideas, and commitment to making a difference. 

Every action, no matter how small, contributes to reducing our environmental impact and building a more sustainable future for all of us.

We look forward to continuing the journey with future roadshows as part of the Year of Green Activity 2026.

Year of Green Activity 2026: Roadshow 3 at Comely Bank 

The third roadshow of UNISON’s Year of Green Activity 2026 national campaign took place at Comely Bank. It was another positive and engaging visit, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to recruitment officer Jackie Keddie for the warm welcome and support in hosting the event. Her enthusiasm helped create an open and encouraging environment for staff to take part.

It was great to see strong engagement from colleagues across the site, with many making meaningful pledges to support greener ways of working and living.

These included commitments to:

• Continue cycling to work
• Make more environmentally conscious choices in daily routines.

These pledges demonstrate a growing commitment among staff to reducing carbon emissions and supporting a more sustainable workplace.

We were also encouraged to hear about progress within the Hospital at Home team. With only two vehicles left to replace, the team is close to achieving a fully electric fleet. This is a fantastic milestone and a clear example of positive change in action.

We would like to thank all staff at Comely Bank for their enthusiasm, ideas, and commitment. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to reducing our environmental impact and building a more sustainable future for all.

We look forward to continuing the journey with future roadshows as part of the Year of Green Activity 2026.

Introduction

This report summarises my fourth Roadshow event as part of UNISON’s Year of Green Activity. The visit took place at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where I engaged with staff to discuss environmental issues, climate impacts, and opportunities for sustainable workplace improvements.

Attendance and Welcome

I was warmly welcomed by local stewards Alana Scott, Lorraine Campbell, and Leigh Brown, along with Branch Convenor Neil Cook. Their support enabled effective engagement with staff across the site.

Staff Engagement and Positive Actions

There was strong engagement from staff, many of whom took time to discuss their current efforts to tackle climate change. Positive actions already being undertaken include:

• Active travel such as cycling and walking
• Car sharing initiatives
• Increased use of public transport

These efforts demonstrate a clear willingness among staff to contribute to sustainability goals.

Challenges and Areas of Concern

Despite individual efforts, there appears to be limited organisational progress in implementing environmental actions within the hospital setting.

Key concerns raised by staff include:

1. Workplace Conditions

• Significant overcrowding in office spaces
• High indoor temperatures, particularly during warmer weather
• Lack of ventilation, with many offices having no windows

In some cases, staff reported the use of up to seven electric fans in a single space to maintain workable conditions. This raises concerns regarding both comfort and potential fire safety risks.

2. Climate Impact on Working Environment

Staff highlighted that changing weather patterns and rising temperatures are directly affecting their ability to work safely and comfortably.

3. Health and Safety Escalation

Staff indicated that they are prepared to escalate these concerns to senior management. If insufficient action is taken, they will seek support from UNISON to ensure safe working conditions.

4. Clinical Waste Concerns

Clinical waste bins were observed placed near main exits within the hospital. This raises questions regarding:

• Compliance with infection control policies
• Appropriate waste management procedures

These concerns have been raised and require further investigation.

Opportunities for Improvement

The Roadshow provided an opportunity to encourage staff to think about:

• Streamlining workplace processes with carbon reduction in mind
• Identifying practical, local changes that could reduce environmental impact
• Embedding sustainability into day-to-day operations

There is clear potential to build on staff enthusiasm and translate it into meaningful organisational change.

Conclusion

The visit highlighted a strong commitment from staff to environmental sustainability, but also significant challenges within the workplace environment. Addressing issues such as ventilation, overcrowding, and waste management will be essential to improving both staff wellbeing and environmental performance.

Further engagement with management is recommended to ensure that these concerns are addressed and that meaningful progress is made as part of UNISON’s Year of Green Activity.

Introduction
This report summarises my fifth Roadshow event as part of UNISON’s Year of Green Activity. The visit to Midlothian Community Hospital provided valuable insight into both positive environmental initiatives and ongoing challenges affecting staff and patients.


Attendance and Welcome
Thank you to Area Convenor Liam Kerr for hosting the visit, and to Kirsty Jack for her support. I would also like to extend thanks to Michael Shaw, Stewart Young and Angela Carroll for their assistance and engagement. I also received a warm welcome from staff across the hospital, which enabled open and constructive discussions.

Positive Environmental Initiatives
Staff spoke positively about sustainability efforts already in place, including:
Use of electric vehicles
Recycling practices across the site
Increased uptake of plant-based diets
Returning salbutamol inhalers to pharmacy for appropriate disposalA particular highlight was the community gardens run by Cyrenians. Staff reported that these have had a significant positive impact on the hospital environment, supporting wellbeing for both patients and staff. The grounds are also valued by the wider community, who use the space for walking and recreation.
Courtyard areas are actively used by staff to support patient wellbeing, offering access to outdoor space as part of care.

Challenges and Areas of Concern
1. Grounds and Waste Management
Staff raised concerns about the removal of bins from hospital grounds. While intended to address inappropriate disposal of dog waste, this has created unintended consequences:
Dog waste bags being left or causing odour issues near entrances
Negative impact on staff, patients, and visitors using the groundsThis approach risks discouraging responsible behaviour and may represent an overly restrictive measure that impacts the wider hospital environment.

2. Staff Facilities and Nutrition
There is currently no canteen provision on site, and attempts to secure a provider (including WRVS volunteers) have been unsuccessful. This presents:
Limited access to affordable, healthy food for staff
A missed opportunity to utilise locally grown produce from the hospital grounds
Lost potential to reduce carbon emissions through local, sustainable food sourcing

Opportunities for Improvement
The site presents strong opportunities to build on existing good practice:
Reconsider waste management approaches to support responsible use of grounds
Explore sustainable food provision using locally grown produce
Continue to embed environmentally conscious behaviours among staff
Promote the therapeutic and environmental value of outdoor spaces

Conclusion
Midlothian Community Hospital demonstrates strong engagement with sustainability at an individual and community level, particularly through the success of the Cyrenians gardens and staff-led initiatives. However, structural challenges—such as waste management decisions and lack of food provision—require further attention to fully support both environmental goals and staff wellbeing.

Introduction

This report summarises my sixth Roadshow event as part of UNISON’s Year of Green Activity. The visit to Western General Hospital highlighted both positive environmental practice and ongoing structural challenges affecting sustainability across the site.

Attendance and Welcome
I would like to thank Western Convenor Mayra Nunez and Recruitment Officer Jackie Keddie for their support during the visit. I also acknowledge the ongoing engagement of Angela Carroll, representing the Disability Self-Organised Group (SOG), and Robert Pollock, representing the LGBT+ SOG, both of whom continue to play an important role in engaging members and strengthening UNISON’s environmental and equality work across the service.

Their support ensured constructive and inclusive discussions with staff throughout the hospital.

Positive Environmental Initiatives

The WGH benefits from well-managed green spaces, including flourishing wildflower meadows developed in partnership with the RSPB. These areas support biodiversity, improve the local environment, and provide valuable wellbeing space for staff, patients and visitors.

Staff also reported a strong uptake in the use of active travel, in particular cycling, supported by accessible off-road routes to the hospital.

Challenges and Areas of Concern

1. Waste and System Inefficiencies

Staff of all levels have raised serious concerns about the ongoing wastage within the NHS. There is a clear perception that opportunities to reduce waste at source are not being fully utilised, leading to avoidable environmental impact which is difficult for staff to see.

2. Food Provision and Carbon Impact

A significant issue raised was the lack of consistent on-site food provision, particularly outside standard hours. This has led to increased reliance on external food deliveries for both staff and patients, negatively affecting the hospital’s carbon footprint.

Staff also highlighted:

• Very limited plant-based food options
  
• Missed opportunities to use sustainable procurement and local supply chains
  
• Potential for vending solutions to improve access and reduce reliance on deliveries
  

3. Site Condition and Infrastructure

Parts of the hospital estate are in visible disrepair, with some buildings reported as condemned. This raises wider concerns about long-term investment, sustainability planning, and the efficient use of estate resources.

4. Waste Segregation and Bin Provision

Concerns remain regarding inconsistent bin provision at entrances. The absence of general waste options can lead to inappropriate disposal into clinical waste streams, increasing both environmental impact and disposal costs.

Opportunities for Improvement

Key opportunities identified include:

• Reducing unnecessary waste across clinical and administrative systems
  
• Addressing reliance on food deliveries through improved on-site provision
  
• Expanding plant-based and low-carbon food options
  
• Reviewing estate condition and long-term sustainability planning
  
• Improving waste segregation clarity and infrastructure
  
• Continuing partnership work with the RSPB to enhance biodiversity
  
• Supporting and expanding active travel initiatives
  

Conclusion

Western General Hospital demonstrates strong environmental potential, particularly through its biodiversity work with the RSPB and high levels of active travel. However, these strengths are being undermined by systemic issues including food provision gaps, estate deterioration, and inefficient waste practices.

Addressing these challenges would significantly improve both environmental performance and staff wellbeing across the site.