Our priorities for the UK government

Five priorities to sustain our health, health and care services, and environment

The climate and nature crisis is a public health emergency that needs an urgent response. Our manifesto for the new government presents five priorities to sustain our health, health and care services, and environment.

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1. End fossil fuel dependency

A rapid, just transition to clean energy, meaning that everyone benefits from the transition
Elimination of government subsidies, investments, and new licences for fossil fuel exploration, extraction, and sales
Increased investment in and subsidies for renewable energy
Policies that reduce energy demand, including insulation of homes and public buildings and improved public transport

2. Ensure a healthy environment

Affordable, environmentally-friendly housing for all
Improved, affordable public transport
Planning that makes walking and cycling easy and safe
Access to green spaces for everybody within a 15-minute walk of their home
Protected waterways and improved access to safe blue space

3. Transform the food system

A public awareness campaign promoting healthy diets high in plant-based foods, reduced consumption of red and processed meat and dairy products, and a reduction in waste
Support for farmers to transition to sustainable practices through subsidies and regulation of the local food sector
Healthy food to be readily available and affordable

4. Meet international commitments

The UK to meet existing financial commitments
Develop innovative ways to increase financial investments to support climate and ecological action through public/private sector partnerships

5. Transform health and care services

Significant investment in public health and integration with health and care services to benefit health, care, and the environment. Policies are needed to promote clean air, active travel, healthy diets, and easy access to green and blue spaces to prevent ill health and reduce pressures on health and care services
Improved access and use of green space on the NHS estates
Funding for green social prescribing
Funding of and appointment of staff throughout health and social care to lead on decarbonisation
Capital investment to decarbonise health and social care buildings and estates
Acceleration of the zero-emissions ambulance fleet from the current goal of 2036 to 2030
Plans to dramatically reduce waste from care services, including avoiding single-use items wherever possible
Increased attention to adapting community health and care services to the effects of the climate and nature crisis
Healthy largely plant-based foods for all patients and staff in care settings
Annual audited public reporting of the carbon footprint of community health and care services
Policies to drive the cultural and societal shift needed to secure a healthier, more sustainable way of life