NHS Scotland recently published its Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy (2022-2026) with Health and Social Care Secretary Hamza Yousaf Secretary warning that climate change presents a direct risk to human health.
He said: “We only need to look at extreme weather events taking place across the world right now. Climate change undermines the conditions that are required for good health and we have a moral obligation to help tackle the greatest threat to human health by reducing our impact on the environment. Good care is environmentally sustainable care.”
The new national Strategy sets out the actions needed for all of NHS Scotland to be a net-zero health service by 2040 at the latest. In addition to longer term aims, the Strategy provides a plan for what we need to do between now and 2026 in the following priority areas:
- Sustainable Buildings and Land
- Sustainable Travel
- Sustainable Goods and Services
- Sustainable Care
- Sustainable Communities
Derek Jarvie, NHS Forth Valley’s Head of Climate Change and Sustainability, added ” A lot of work has taken place in the past few months to put the governance and operational arrangements in place to ensure NHS Forth Valley is in a better position to respond to the climate emergency.
“However, responsibility lies with us all and the shift to net-zero will require unprecedented changes in how we work. A sick planet is a difficult place to help people lead healthy lives.”
For more information:
NHS Scotland climate emergency and sustainability strategy: 2022-2026
