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Why Environmentally Sustainable Practice?

The climate crisis is a health crisis. The climate and ecological emergency underpins all the social and environmental determinants of health. Climate action can have huge health benefits.

Climate Change and Health

The Climate and Ecological Crisis is a Health Crisis. Planetary health underpins all the social and environmental determinants of health. Healthcare is both affected by the climate emergency and contributes to exacerbating it. The Lancet states the response to climate change is “the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century.”

How do we make the case for action on the climate and ecological crisis?

This Climate & Health Narrative Resource presents a clearly arugued, positive and engaging narrative that health professionals can use to make the case for for climate action. You can also check out the Lancet’s Climate Countdown which collates health and climate information annually. This BMJ article outlines what climate action means for healthcare.

Action on the climate and ecological emergency:

What has the NHS got to do with the climate and ecological crisis?

The NHS contributes 4-5% of the UK’s carbon emissions. In October 2020, the NHS became the world’s first health service to commit to reaching carbon net zero, in response to the profound and growing threat to health posed by climate change. The “Delivering a Net Zero Health Service” report sets out a clear ambition and two evidence-based targets. 

Primary care carbon footprint

Prescribing is by far the largest carbon footprint in primary care. See more in the prescribing section.