Sustainability at BSO
Sustainability is about meeting today’s needs while protecting the ability of future generations to meet theirs. At Business Services Organisation (BSO), sustainability is embedded within how we deliver services, make decisions and support Health and Social Care (HSC) across Northern Ireland.
Climate change, resource depletion, and waste generation present significant challenges for society, public services, and the health sector. The way we use energy, travel, consume resources, and manage waste has a direct impact on our environment, our communities, and ultimately the health and wellbeing of the population we serve.
At BSO, sustainability is not just about reducing carbon emissions. It is about making better use of resources, supporting the circular economy, and delivering services in a way that creates long-term environmental, social, and economic value.
Learn more about Sustainability below:
Why Sustainability Matters
A changing climate affects everyone. Increasing temperatures, extreme weather events, flooding, and pressure on natural resources can all have consequences for health services and the communities that depend on them.
By reducing our environmental impact, we can:
- Improve air quality and support healthier communities.
- Reduce waste and make better use of valuable resources.
- Lower carbon emissions and contribute to climate action.
- Improve organisational efficiency and reduce costs.
- Create more resilient and sustainable services for the future.
Our Sustainability Strategy and Roadmap
Our five year Sustainability Strategy sets out a clear commitment to reducing our environmental impact, improving resource efficiency and supporting the transition to a more sustainable future. By integrating sustainability into our operations, procurement, digital services and ways of working, we can deliver lasting environmental, social and economic benefits.
Key areas of focus include:
- Reducing carbon emissions across our operations.
- Improving resource efficiency and reducing waste.
- Supporting sustainable procurement and supply chains.
- Embedding Circular Economy principles.
- Enabling Digital First ways of working.
- Engaging and empowering our people to contribute to sustainability goals.
- Supporting the wider Health and Social Care system on its sustainability journey.
Our Progress So Far
Since launching the Sustainability Strategy in November 2025, BSO has made significant progress in embedding sustainability across the organisation and supporting wider Health and Social Care sustainability objectives.
Achievements for 2026 include:
- Launch of the Sustainability Strategy
- Submission of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Reports
- Introduction of a Sustainability E-Learning Module
- Review of the Environment and Sustainability Policy
- Completion of the first Sustainability Annual Report
- Submission of the first Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey
- Continued fleet Decarbonisation
- Progress in estate rationalisation and energy efficiency
- Strengthened governance through the Sustainability Working Group
- Development of a broader greenhouse gas inventory
Learn More
- View the full Sustainability Strategy 2025–2030
- View the Sustainability Strategy Summary.
- Sustainability Annual Report
- Climate Change Act 2022
- Climate Reporting Bodies 2024
For more information on Sustainability at BSO contact – BSO.Sustainability@hscni.net