Wanted: a green NHS

We welcome the BMJ’s latest issue on climate change (26 January), which suggests some strategies for health professionals in response to global warming, including adaptation and surveillance and forecasting of health risks.¹

“Climate change: what can doctors do?” asks the BMJ’scover. We believe that doctors must do more than respond to the crisis as it unfolds. Health professionals at all levels must lead by example in their own practices.

The NHS in the United Kingdom emits 1 million tonnes of carbon every year and has an annual energy bill of around £400m (€530; $780).² Although the UK government has committed £100m to improving energy efficiency in the NHS, NHS carbon emissions rose by 11% between 2000 and 2005 as the number of buildings increased.³ Furlong noted in a recent BBC programme that the NHS lags far behind other sectors.⁴

The Campaign for Greener Healthcare (www.greennhs.org) started in January with the mission of providing the NHS with active support in achieving sustainability in all areas of purchasing and provision. The campaign is working in partnership with government, the NHS, patients, and relevant industries.

We are convinced of the importance of a social, economic, and environmental approach to sustainability and also argue that fair and ethical trade is a crucial component of this in our connected world.⁵

As Roberts emphasises in the BMJ’s issue, there are direct co-benefits to health in reducing carbon emissions, so by making the NHS more green we can clearly improve the health of the people we serve. We hope that healthcare professionals will support and be supported by our campaign.

Reward: a healthy future.