Greener Practice CIC- Principles Statement
Introduction
Our Purpose
Greener Practice CIC’s purpose is to enable primary care to act on the climate and ecological emergency as it affects our work, patients and staff. 1
Greener Practice is a not-for-profit community interest company whose activities are undertaken for the benefit of the community.
Our Mission
Greener Practice’s mission is to educate and enable primary care to move towards environmentally sustainable healthcare. We do this by providing education, information and resources, by convening groups to share learning, and by collaborating with like-minded organisations.
The scope of Greener Practice’s mission is focused on the provision of primary care services within general practice.
Our Principles
Greener Practice CIC’s Principles Statement sets out the principles we use to inform and guide Greener Practice’s activities and those of its members in undertaking its mission to deliver its purpose.
1. Community Health and Planetary Health Are Interconnected
We recognise that human health is inseparable from the health of the environment. All our actions are guided by the principle that improving environmental sustainability directly supports the wellbeing of patients and communities.
2. Evidence-Informed Sustainability
We promote environmentally sustainable clinical practice based on robust scientific evidence. Our guidance, training, and resources are grounded in best practice, current research, and the practical realities of primary care.
3. Supporting Clinicians to Lead Change
We empower general practitioners, primary care teams, and local networks to implement sustainable healthcare. We provide education, practical tools, and community-building to help clinicians make meaningful, achievable improvements.
4. Equity and Inclusion in Sustainable Healthcare
We promote sustainability in a way that also advances health equity. We ensure that our work strengthens access, reduces inequalities, and supports vulnerable and marginalised communities.
5. Reducing the Environmental Impact of Healthcare
We champion efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce waste, and conserve resources in primary care. This includes aligning with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare’s Principles of Sustainable Clinical Care encouraging prescribing choices, clinical pathways, and practice operations that minimise environmental harm.
We do not promote fossil fuels and encourage their phase out as fast as possible as a necessity to address the climate emergency and meet the NHS greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets:
- To reduce directly controlled greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2040 with an 80% reduction by 2028-2032
- To reduce the greenhouse gas emissions the NHS can influence to Net Zero by 2045, with an ambition to reach 80% reduction by 2036-2039.
6. Collaboration Across Systems
We work collaboratively with patients, practices, primary care networks (PCNs), integrated care systems (ICSs), healthcare organisations, academic bodies, and community partners. We believe that achieving sustainable healthcare requires shared responsibility and joined-up action.
7. Transparency and Accountability
We operate openly and honestly. We communicate clearly about our aims, activities, finances, and impacts, and we welcome feedback and scrutiny from our stakeholders.
8. Continuous Learning and Improvement
We are committed to reflection, evaluation, and innovation. As evidence and best practice evolve, we adapt our approaches to remain effective and forward-thinking.
9. Integrity and Independence
We act with integrity, without undue influence from external interests. Our work is always directed toward public benefit, prioritising the needs of patients, healthcare professionals, and the environment.
10. Not-for-Profit Ethos and Financial Sustainability
We operate on a not-for-profit basis. Any surplus generated is reinvested to further our social and environmental aims. We undertake activities that responsibly support the ongoing financial sustainability of the CIC so that we can continue delivering long-term community benefit.
11. Political Neutrality
We are a politically neutral organisation. We do not make political donations, we do not engage in party-political campaigning, and we hold no direct affiliation with any political party. Our work is guided solely by evidence, community benefit, and our mission to promote sustainable healthcare.
12. Building a Sustainable Future for Primary Care
We strive to create long-term, community-level benefit by supporting primary care to reduce environmental impact, build resilience, and contribute to a healthcare system that protects both present and future generations.
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1 – Greener Practice CIC Articles of Association, available here