New Freedom of Information (FOI) data suggests NHS Trusts across England are stepping up investment in solar, energy efficiency and digital energy management, but a significant minority still lacks clear plans or consistent measurement to stay on track for net zero.

The research, released by Schneider Electric, is based on FOI responses from 66 NHS Trusts in England. It finds that 21% of Trusts do not have a clear roadmap to meet NHS net zero targets – an improvement from 31% in 2024, but still a substantial gap for an estate facing rising energy costs and growing pressure to decarbonise.

A similar proportion of Trusts (21%) said they are not measuring their carbon footprint, down from 29% in 2024. Schneider Electric also reported that 26% of Trusts remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with 90% of their energy coming from these sources.

There are some bright spots, however. Nearly two thirds (64%) of Trusts reported adopting technology to monitor and optimise energy use, up from 48% in 2024, while the same proportion (64%) said they have upgraded building systems. A third (33%) reported digitising electrical infrastructure and energy sources to drive efficiencies, suggesting a gradual move towards more data-driven estates management.

The research also flagged a rise in circular approaches, with 30% of Trusts reporting circular business practices such as refurbishment and redistribution of medical equipment, up from 19% in 2024.

One of the sharpest changes in the FOI snapshot is the reported availability of funding. Schneider Electric said 89% of Trusts have received funding for decarbonisation projects, compared with 67% in 2024.

Trusts said that funding is being prioritised around renewables and efficiency measures, including:

The rise in reported solar investment is particularly notable. While rooftop PV is not suitable for every site, it is increasingly being treated as a straightforward lever to cut bills and reduce carbon, especially when paired with wider efficiency work.

This also lands in a wider public-sector funding context. Alongside ongoing support such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (delivered by Salix Finance), the UK Government has also positioned Great British Energy as a mechanism to accelerate solar installations on NHS sites.

In an announcement in October 2025, the

Government said an expanded Great British Energy-backed scheme would support new solar installations across additional NHS sites

, with estimated lifetime bill savings for Trusts.

Schneider Electric said the results show progress, but warned the NHS still faces long-term challenges in developing robust sustainability strategies and reducing reliance on fossil fuels – particularly as energy demand and costs remain pressing issues for the health service.

“We’ve just passed the five-year mark since the NHS committed to reaching net-zero for direct emissions by 2040, the world’s first healthcare system to do so. We should be proud of this and the way in which Trusts are embracing sustainability and making progress towards these targets,” said Alice Williams, Schneider Electric’s VP Digital Energy, UK&I.

“But, with energy usage and rising costs major challenges for the NHS, there is still much work to be done. Renewable sources, modern technology, and digital solutions offer a real opportunity to upgrade existing options, paving the way for a more sustainable and robust NHS for the future.”

The NHS has committed to reaching net zero for the emissions it controls directly by 2040, with a longer timeline for the emissions it can influence. The FOI data suggests many Trusts are now moving on the ‘obvious wins’ – monitoring and controls, lighting upgrades, building system improvements and solar where possible – but that consistency remains the issue.

If a fifth of Trusts still lacks a roadmap, and a fifth is not measuring emissions, there is a risk that progress will be uneven: some sites modernising quickly, others struggling to plan and prove reductions, even when funding is available.