Integrated, multi-sectoral solutions that address social inequities, differentiate responses based on climate risk and cut across systems, increase the feasibility and effectiveness of adaptation in multiple sectors (high confidence)
(source: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability)
Most work and change will happen within organisations. Organisations of all sizes have an obligation to consider sustainability in all of their decisions. Integrating this into the decision-making process is a key need. The Partnership has a vital role in coordinating and amplifying organisational action to increase our collective impact across West Yorkshire. We will also continue to lead on revising this strategy at least every two years to reflect the fast pace of change in climate and sustainability.
Big organisations such as NHS trusts have big footprints because of their estates and fleets and because of the nature of their work. Rightly, they are the first focus of the national Greener NHS team and there are some statutory climate obligations to deliver. These are laid out in the Partnership’s and trust green plans. Local authorities are also doing a lot of good work, some to meet their statutory responsibilities and some are going beyond, on their own initiative. Currently this work is not sufficiently joined up across the different parts of our system so we will create and enhance these relationships. Interconnected challenges need interconnected solutions.
By being agile, smaller organisations have an important role to play. They can make changes quickly and then advise bigger partners on successes. By distributing risk, expertise and funding, smaller organisations can contribute, benefit and thrive - even if some initiatives fail.
Our Places have an important role to play in creating a sustainable future. They are ideally situated to build networks and relationships across professional boundaries, to plan and deliver projects within a geographical boundary and establish new social norms which prioritise impact reduction and adaptation.
Whilst the climate team work closely with the trusts in the region to align priorities, we have more to do in building and maintaining other relationships which we understand are crucial going forwards. We will work more closely with the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, primary care (including primary care networks), private healthcare providers, educational institutions, youth voice organisations, local authorities including social care and wider services and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).