The NIHR Carbon Reduction Guidelines

ForewordAs the largest organisation in the UK, the NHS has made a commitmentto meet the targets set by the Climate Change Act, through thepublication of the Carbon Reduction Strategy for the NHS in England.Research is a core part of the NHS and the National Institute for HealthResearch (NIHR) must play a role in reducing the carbon emissions fromhealth research.The NIHR Carbon Reduction Guidelines have been developed by researchersfor researchers, with input from stakeholders across the NIHR. The documenthighlights areas where sensible research design can reduce waste withoutadversely impacting on the validity and reliability of research. I thankProfessor Ian Roberts, the NIHR Carbon Guidelines Working Group andeveryone involved in bringing the guidelines together.The NIHR supports outstanding research and it is important that we continueto support excellence and act responsibly towards the environment. Itherefore welcome the NIHR Carbon Reduction Guidelines, demonstratinghow the principles of good carbon management and sensible study designcan apply to many studies funded by the NIHR, reducing our carbon footprintwithout increasing the administrative burden to researchers.Professor Dame Sally C DaviesDirector General of Research and DevelopmentDepartment of Health2