Human and ecosystem vulnerability are interdependent (high confidence). Current unsustainable development patterns are increasing exposure of ecosystems and people to climate hazards (high confidence)
(source: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability)
Climate change is fundamentally a human health issue because the drivers of climate change are also the drivers of ill health and health inequalities. See: Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service. We cannot be healthy if our biosphere is poisoned.
In providing health and social care, we are contributing to the degradation of the environment on which we all depend by:
- Burning fossil fuels for heat and transport
- Using single-use plastic
- Eating unsustainable food
- Taking too long to adopt digital technologies
- Underestimating our influence on the supply chain
- Undervaluing water supplies
- Being profligate with our medicines
- Accepting unwarranted variations in care
- Underrating the health benefits of our green and blue spaces
See Sustainable Healthcare (areas of focus).
Our contribution to the bigger picture is not inconsequential. Health services contribute about 4% of UK carbon emissions. Source: Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service.
The UK has a legal obligation under the 2008 Climate Change Act to be net carbon zero by 2050. Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service establishes a goal to be net zero carbon by 2040 and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has pledged to be net carbon neutral by 2038 (with significant progress towards this by 2030) - see Net Zero-Carbon Leeds City Region. As a partnership, we want and need to do more. Net carbon zero alone is not sufficient for us to be truly sustainable. We must ensure that we do not strip any of our planet’s resources over time and that all communities can co-exist for the long run.
Net zero is an important element of doing no harm, but having achieved that, we must move to regenerative approaches where we can grow back resources.
As well as reducing our environmental impact, we will also focus on adapting to living in a changing environment. Specifically, this is how to manage less frequent but more heavy rainfall (leading to flooding, drought, and wildfires), food and energy insecurity, supply chain disruption, and an influx of climate migrants to higher ground. This is already causing an increased demand for health and care services, and a reduced ability of anchor organisations to provide these services. See: Health Professionals and the Climate Crisis: Trusted Voices, Essential Roles.