Data-driven decarbonisation
Date published: 26 Jun 2026 Author: Elizabeth Williams
James Simpson, HealthShare NSW’s first-ever carbon analyst, is on a mission to turn data into direct environmental action.
Since joining HSNSW’s Performance Analytics team in January, James has bridged the gap between raw data and sustainability. With a background in consulting and climate-tech start-ups, he now manages HSNSW’s carbon data landscape to streamline how the organisation tracks, reports, and reduces its environmental impact.
Decoding the footprint – where do our carbon emissions come from?
To change how the organisation operates, James emphasises that staff must first understand what they are measuring.
‘When a company uses energy, greenhouse gases are emitted during that process,’ James said.
We usually refer to the collective greenhouse gas emissions as carbon emissions and measure them in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.’
These emissions can be split into three categories:
- Scope 1 (Direct): For example, fuel for the transport fleet or natural gas used in linen facility dryers.
- Scope 2 (Indirect – from electricity): For example electricity used to power facilities and offices.
- Scope 3 (Indirect - supply chain): For example, indirect or embedded emissions from purchased goods, such as the carbon footprint of beef supplied to HSNSW kitchens.
To achieve deep decarbonisation, James and the HSNSW Sustainability Team are focusing on Scope 1 and 2 emissions overall, while diving into Scope 3 data "hot spots" across high-impact categories such as food, textiles, medical equipment, and waste.
The data shows that some of the most effective solutions require structural shifts.
‘A lot of things that are really going to move the needle require the business and industry to innovate and invest, upgrade equipment, and review policies and contracts to make big impacts,’ James added.
Everyday choices, big impacts
HSNSW is not just tracking data, it is executing approved, fully costed initiatives. Approved projects include planning to replace ageing operational equipment with more efficient, lower carbon equipment, optimising linen delivery routes to cut down on transport fuel and investigating options for electrifying the Patient Transport Services (PTS) fleet.
‘We have put numbers behind our targets - they are achievable and now we are working to action them,’ James said.
While major infrastructure upgrades drive significant reductions in emissions, James said every employee plays a role through everyday operational choices. Decisions regarding commuting, hybrid work policies, staff rostering, and procurement requirements all leave a trace in the data.
‘Every worker makes decisions every day that affect carbon emissions,’ James added.
‘If you work in procurement, for example, the requirements you put into contracts have flow-on effects. I think it is important for people to continue to have sustainability front of mind at work.’
Driving a culture of change
As HSNSW’s dedicated carbon analyst, James relies on the data-driven mindset of his colleagues and the passion of the wider workforce to spread awareness. He credited teams in the Linen, PTS, Enable and Food directorates for driving change from the ground up.
‘Our people seem to really care about sustainability,' James said. ‘There are a lot of passionate people in these directorates who want to lead change. There is buy-in from all levels.’
Looking ahead, James hopes to integrate carbon data into the fabric of every new project across the organisation.
‘In my world, dealing with the data, I would love everyone to have an understanding of carbon data when they are doing new projects so we can measure it,’ James concluded.
For more information please email HSNSW-sustainability@health.nsw.gov.au.
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