climate change and sustainability in healthcare
Do busy nursing staff really have time to save the planet as well as everything and everyone else? It might sound a herculean task, but small changes to existing habits and routines could save money and improve health outcomes.
World leaders are meeting in the UK to agree global action on climate change at the UN climate change conference COP26. As Britain’s largest employer, the NHS is responsible for around 4% of our national carbon emissions. The health service has a goal to reduce emissions by 80% by 2028-2032, and to net zero by 2040. So, healthcare staff have a role to play.
Sustainability in healthcare is care that can be delivered in a manner that is conscientious of resources, the disposal of waste, and single-use items. Here we examine ways that nursing professionals can make a big difference.
Our part in a greener NHS: we’re making progress, now let’s accelerate it
Nurses see the impact of climate change on health – and we have the power to take action
Simple steps nurses can take to help protect the environment
Actions all healthcare staff can implement to be greener at work and at home
Gloves, water bottles and waste reduction: how you can be greener at work
Simple changes every staff member can make, from virtual meetings to rethinking single-use
Why you should care about climate change and how you can push the agenda
Nurses should come together and share environmentally friendly ideas and resources
Focus on asthma 2: air pollution and its effects on children and young people
Causes of air pollution and how they affect the lung health of children
Climate change is a global issue, but nurses see its effects close-up
Health threats from global warming make the need to end the nurse shortage extra-urgent
Climate change and the NHS: can nurses point the way to a greener future?
RCN calls for ideas on how to reduce healthcare’s carbon footprint
Nurse managers urged to be active in promoting environmental sustainability
The RCN is lobbying healthcare providers to adopt strategies on environmental sustainability
Tackling the growing problem of air pollution and children’s health
Researchers, including nurses, will monitor the effects of low emission initiatives
Toolkit will help nursing students tackle climate change
The NurSus toolkit provides an opportunity to integrate sustainability within nursing...
Alice Munro: Cut fossil fuel investment to curb threat to health
Health organisations should stop investing in the fossil fuel industry and take action to...
Turn up heat on climate debate
It is time for healthcare staff to speak out about the dangers of global warming on people’s...