Sustainability

Climate action represents one form of sustainability, recognising that human health and the health of our planet are inextricably linked. 

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent 17 areas of action to address global inequalities and tackle climate change.

The 17 SDGs are integrated. They recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in others. They also acknowledge that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. The RCN intends to map all of our sustainability activity against the SDGs to enable transparency regarding how we contribute to this global work.

Health and care services provided by NHS and independent sectors, including adult social care, are a major contributor to climate change. Health and care services globally account for approximately 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions. This equates to roughly 2 gigatons of carbon dioxide or the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 514 coal-fired power plants. 

This, together with the clear health benefits of action to reduce the effect of climate change means that health and care services, and health professionals have a significant role to play. The RCN as a professional organisation recognises the importance of supporting and enabling its members on this issue.

The delivery of health and care requires equipment and consumables that deplete natural resources and create harmful waste and biproducts. This includes how we heat and supply energy to hospitals, manufacture and use consumables and equipment and how we manage the waste we create. Other factors such as the use of vehicles by staff, patients, procurement agencies and ambulances all contribute to pollution. All of these can increase the burden on health and disease, particularly in poor communities or those where inequalities exist. 

Measures to tackle climate change include reducing petrol vehicle use, tackling air pollution and moving to more plant-based diets. These can have positive health effects, both at an individual and a societal level. So, action to tackle climate change also brings positive health benefits.

We’re committed to supporting our members, as well as the wider nursing and midwifery community to deliver care in a way that: 

• is environmentally sustainable 
• reduces inequalities 
• improves health outcomes 
• helps to reduce costs  

We believe that all those working within nursing and midwifery have a key role to play in addressing these challenges. If you’re a healthcare support worker, nursing and midwifery student, cadet, registered nurse or midwife, you have a unique opportunity to support the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable care. Read our report on how nurses have contributed to meeting the SDGs.

As the largest part of the health and care workforce, nursing is at the forefront of providing care to communities and people affected by climate change. Nursing is a profession grounded in science, and one trusted by the public, so you’re well-placed to speak out on this issue.

Our work on sustainability is evolving

Our members understand that climate change requires urgent action. Our work on sustainability, including climate change, is broad and we’re working hard to integrate this into everything we do.

The Lancet Countdown tracks connections between public health and climate change and publishes an annual report. The 2022 report is available and the RCN is proud to have contributed to the accompanying UK policy brief.

Here at the RCN, we take seriously our role as a member of the UK Health Alliance on climate change.

This podcast recognises the serious health effects of air pollution which are exacerbated by rising global temperatures and is a mandatory resource for students to view on this programme.

Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah was born happy and healthy but suffered a fatal asthma attack due to living next to a major road. Ella is the first person in the world to have air pollution listed as a cause of death on her death certificate.

Listen to our podcast of a mother’s lived experience.

Find out more about the Ella Roberta Foundation.

We collaborate and support many organisations and individuals working on improving sustainability in health and care. These represent formal and informal alliances, as well as programmes of work aligned to shared objectives.

Formal alliances

UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC)

We are a founder member of the Alliance, which brings together leading healthcare professional organisations. It advocates for actions at governmental and system level to tackle climate change and protect and promote public health.

It was formed in 2016 to coordinate action, provide leadership and amplify the voices of the UK’s healthcare professionals on all things relating to climate change and sustainability.

You can find out more on the Alliance’s website.

Health Care Without Harm

We’re also a member of Health Care Without Harm – an international coalition of health care organisations and professionals. We collaborate with Health Care Without Harm Europe on areas particularly related to nursing practice, such as the reduction of plastics and waste.

The coalition shares a vision of a health care sector that does no harm, is committed to preventing disease and promotes the health of people and the environment.

You can find out more on the Health Care Without Harm website.

Sustainable Healthcare coalition

The Sustainable Healthcare Coalition is a health care sector led group that looks for the greatest opportunities to inspire sustainable practices in health care through the collaboration of its members. You can find out more on their website.