All four UK health services have united to commit to net zero carbon emissions, health and social care secretary Sajid Javid has announced today.
Currently, health systems are substantial sources of greenhouse gas emissions – accounting for around 4.6 per cent of the worldwide total – meaning if they were one country, health systems would be the fifth largest emitter.
Sajid Javid said: “As a health community, we cannot simply sit on the sidelines – we must respond to climate change through urgent action, with global collaboration at its core.
“I am delighted that all four UK health services are pledging to become net zero and it is brilliant news that dozens of countries have joined the UK in committing to reduce carbon emissions from their health systems – significantly cutting greenhouse gas output around the world.”
The UK government is investing more than £280m in decarbonising the NHS estate in England through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, with a further £1.425bn in funding confirmed for the whole public sector across this Spending Review period.
The commitments are made as part of the UK’s COP26 presidency alongside healthcare systems across the world and in partnership with the World Health Organisation, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Healthcare Without Harm and others.
The Health Programme is a series of initiatives focusing on health sector leadership on climate change, including a focus on building climate resilient and sustainable health systems, as well as raising the voices of healthcare professionals who are advocating for stronger, more ambitious climate action.
ABDO president, Jo Holmes, said: “Developing climate resilient, sustainable low-carbon health systems is a challenge that the optical industry needs to come on board with as a matter of urgency. At the SEE Summit on the Environment, we saw examples of the moves already underway – and this week, leading optical bodies are coming together to discuss the next steps.
“I urge everyone in the optical community to take action as part of this UK-wide initiative, and together we will build a strong, resilient health services for the future.”