AN ENVIRONMENTAL business run by a campaigning hospital consultant has become the latest member of a partnership aimed at helping local employers to achieve net zero targets.
Richard Hixson, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Critical Care at Darlington Memorial Hospital, launched CPDmatch in 2020 to make health care professionals more aware of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities closer to home.
The not-for-profit company has since become focused on promoting CPD training courses relating to the environment, which is Richard’s passion.
CPDmatch has now joined the Darlington Employers’ Environmental Partnership (DEEP), which is a progressive collection of local businesses and organisations sharing good practice around net zero targets.
DEEP, which was launched at the start of 2024, has grown rapidly and now has nearly 50 members who have pledged to:
- Make sustainability a priority
- Take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Set targets to reduce energy consumption
Members are also invited to regular ‘network and learn’ events to increase their understanding of sustainability and develop positive relationships.
Richard, pictured, said: “Whilst the challenges we face are global, the actions we can often successfully deliver are local.
“We are more powerful when speaking with a collective voice, collaborating like never before to amplify the message because, with the climate and environmental emergency, we all cross the line together or none of us cross it at all.
“DEEP exemplifies these points by bringing together local employers, creating partnership, demonstrating ambition, and sharing knowledge and achievements.”
Seth Pearson, Director of Darlington Cares, which oversees DEEP, said: “CPDmatch is a wonderful example of a local business initiative born out of a passion to work together on the net zero agenda.
“The NHS and the wider health sector can – and must – be hugely influential in providing the necessary leadership on sustainability because the health of all of us is ultimately at stake. We therefore welcome CPDmatch with open arms.”
- To find out more about DEEP, go to http://www.deepnetzero.co.uk
DEEP Net Zero 
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