12th January 2026
Climate change and sustainability are key priorities for the BMA and close to the hearts of many of our members. Doctors see at first hand the very real health impacts of climate change on patients every day and the BMA officially declared a climate emergency in 2019 and that it is also a health emergency in 2023.
We are well aware of the huge role that the NHS plays in public sector emissions and the need for these to be reduced, specifically meeting the NHS net zero targets. However, it is less clear whether these challenging targets are actually achievable and importantly, exactly what role doctors can play. To understand what is happening on the ground, we asked our most useful resource, our members, and more than 200 doctors responded to our recent BMA survey on the issue.
The survey confirmed that many doctors have real enthusiasm and commitment to helping the NHS reach net zero. Yet this passion can often be undermined by a number of barriers preventing their involvement. Not surprisingly, a lack of time is the most common reason preventing doctors, who already have a huge workload, from getting more involved in sustainability initiatives. However, it is clear that a lack of support and encouragement from management, along with poor coordination and leadership, also play a vital role. Despite 82% responding to our survey stating that they believe doctors should have a role in helping the NHS to achieve net zero, 56 % report having only a little influence on sustainability practices in their workplaces. Almost a third say they have none. More than half of the doctors responding have suggested a sustainability initiative in their workplaces but less than a quarter had their suggestions acted on. It seems that the type of workplace heavily impacts on this influence – with hospital doctors reporting lower levels of influence. In primary care, more changes suggested were actually implemented.
With this in mind, many doctors (nearly half of the survey respondents) don’t believe NHS net zero targets are achievable, despite NHS England reporting a much more positive picture. Heavy reliance on single-use equipment and the financial burden of achieving large-scale change were often cited as reasons for this doubt.
Nevertheless, despite the barriers that are often faced, many doctors still work on their own initiatives, in their own time to make healthcare more sustainable. Our survey highlighted some excellent sustainability projects including one in Devon promoting reusable insulin pens, one in Brighton creating sterilisation systems to reduce single-use items, and one at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust reducing metered-dose inhalers, which are a big contributor to the NHS carbon footprint, and switching to reusable ones.
Although doctors are clearly frustrated with the slow pace of change, it is crucial that we continue to encourage their commitment to working sustainably and make the most of the knowledge and experience that they have from working in the NHS. Communication with doctors on sustainability practices must be improved to help encourage their involvement, along with better management support of innovation. The BMA has a role to play in highlighting good practice, but of course, it will always be beneficial to have clear government guidance and support to embed sustainability within the NHS.