The NHS Sustainable Development Conference 2012, which was held on the 14th February, was an action orientated showcase of innovation for sustainable healthcare (http://www.nhssd.co.uk/index.php/Home.html). It was impressive to see the volume of possible solutions available and the experience of organisations who had put them to action. The day reinforced the message that solutions to improve environmental sustainability go hand-in-hand with financial and social sustainability, and improving the patient experience - win-win!