eBulletin14th February 2025
The first weeks of 2025 have underscored the accelerating urgency of climate change, with new records set globally and national policies coming under intense scrutiny. January was officially the hottest on record, sending shockwaves through the scientific community as global temperatures soared. Despite La Niña’s cooling influence, this anomaly signals a troubling trend of rapid warming, with experts warning that we may reach 2°C of warming as soon as 2045.
Yet, amidst this urgency, the UK is grappling with a stark policy dilemma. On one side, the controversial Rosebank oil and gas project has been halted by a court ruling, marking a significant victory for climate advocates and reinforcing the need to limit fossil fuel expansion. Also, the UK has met the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) deadline with an ambitious and robust plan that meets the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target. On the other, despite growing opposition, the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport in London, which could increase emissions and undermine climate targets, continues to be championed by some political figures. These conflicting decisions highlight the tension between economic growth and environmental responsibility, and there is a risk that climate inaction or the wrong action could directly affect health. Shifting the conversation toward how climate decisions impact public health offers a powerful argument for prioritising sustainable, health-conscious policies in the fight against climate change.
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News and updates
UKHACC End-of-Year Report
The UKHACC’s 2024 End of Year Report highlights key achievements and initiatives throughout the year. In 2024, the UKHACC worked with its membership to advocate for transformative action in both the health sector and government to protect people and the planet. Major accomplishments include developing a manifesto for the UK general election, publishing policy reports on a just energy transition, a sustainable food system, presenting the UK policy brief for the Lancet Countdown at COP29, and responding to government consultations on sustainability in the NHS. Read the full report here.
Health professionals have united to call on the UK government to stop promoting meat and dairy for the sake of public health and the environment
In an open letter, doctors, nurses, and dietitians highlight the urgent need for a shift in dietary guidelines to reduce the consumption of meat and dairy, which contribute to chronic diseases and environmental harm. Health professionals urge the government to support plant-based eating as a key strategy to improve health outcomes and tackle climate change. Read this blog post to find out more information.
Prime Minister’s Office thanks the UKHACC for our dedication and commitment
The Prime Minister’s Office has written to the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change expressing gratitude and praise for our work. It came in response to a letter we had sent congratulating him on his election in 2024 and outlining our priorities for the new government. Read the letters here.
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Have your say
StopRosebank MP/MSP Week of Action
Following a recent court ruling that consent granted in 2023 for the Rosebank oilfield was unlawful, it is expected that the Government will be required to consider a new application from the energy company behind the field in the Spring. This will not happen until the updated environmental impact assessment guidance for scope 3 emissions has been published. The time between now and then is critical to make the case for stopping Rosebank. A week of action from 3-6 March to get as many people as possible to meet their elected representatives is planned. This week of action guide walks you through what to do to set up a meeting with your MP and how to prepare for the meeting.
Call for Evidence by the Met Office and Climate Change Committee
The Call for Evidence is seeking targeted information to inform both the CCRA4-IA Technical Report and the Well-Adapted UK Report. Those wishing to contribute can submit evidence via a simple form, which should take less than ten minutes to complete. Contributors will be acknowledged in the report, though there is an option to remain anonymous if preferred. More information is available here.
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Opportunities/Get involved
Ask your hospital to join this new project: Testing Healthy, Low-Carbon Menus in Hospitals
Greener by Default is partnering with researchers from UCL and LSHTM on an upcoming project, Sustainable & Inclusive Nutrition for All: Testing Healthy, Low-Carbon Menus in Hospitals. Hospitals are invited to express interest in this 12-week intervention, starting no earlier than November 2025, with full guidance and no participation costs. Please share this opportunity with Trust Executives, Sustainability Leads, or Food Service Teams. More information is available here.
Sign up for the Greener Practice newsletter
Greener Practice is a vibrant network of people driving sustainability in primary care by sharing information, convening groups to exchange learning, and advocating for change on the national stage. Their newsletter keeps you informed with updates on events, success stories, and practical tips for making healthcare greener. Sign up for their newsletter by emailing contact@greenerpractice.com
Join the Health for XR Book Club
The Health for Extinction Rebellion Book Club meets approximately fortnightly on Sunday evenings via Zoom. The group explores books on climate, health, activism, resilience, and the future of civilisation. Organised through the Signal app, anyone interested can join by emailing contact@healthforxr.com
Green Nursing Challenge
The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) launching an exciting competition to support nursing teams across the UK in leading projects that make nursing care more sustainable. The competition is open to 3 teams from community nursing and 3 teams from secondary care. Whether you’re a community nurse, ward nurse, dental nurse, newly qualified, nurse manager, or clinical specialist, applications are welcome! Application deadline 21 March 2025. More information is available here.
Show the Love 2025
This February, join a nationwide movement to protect the places we love from climate change. In collaboration with The Climate Coalition, we’re turning our shared love for people, climate, and nature into positive action – and we need your support! Share a photo of a place you love or a selfie with your hands forming a heart shape at Show The Love, and post it on social media with #ShowTheLove2025 to send a powerful message to decision-makers in Parliament. Every photo will become part of a giant artwork celebrating the places we cherish and want to protect for future generations. Find out more and explore others’ contributions at Show The Love.
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Events
28 February | Online (Only for NHS England)
Updated Green Plan Guidance: An Overview from Greener NHS
NHS England has released new guidance to help systems and trusts refresh their green plans. This session will provide an overview, reflect on progress, highlight best practices, and answer your questions. It’s ideal for NHS staff involved in green plan delivery, including sustainability leads and key operational teams. Register here using your NHS email.
19 March | London
Green Maternity Conference: Taking collective action to deliver low carbon, equitable maternity care
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), in collaboration with the Royal College of Midwives, the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, and the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition, will host the Green Maternity Conference at the RCOG building on Union Street, London. This event offers a unique platform for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and academics to explore the collective action needed for low-carbon, equitable maternity care. Learn more and book your place here.
27-28 March | Inverness
The Sustainable Healer Conference
A two-day conference for health professionals designing and delivering care with a message of hope for a sustainable NHS to help health professionals reach their potential and influence positive change. Book your place here.
28 March | Glasgow
Ride for their lives: RCPCH Conference 2025
This year’s RCPCH conference in Glasgow is hosting an easy ride and a 10 km Ride For Their Lives. Everyone is welcome to join. More details are available here.
8-10 April | Rio de Janeiro
Forecasting Healthy Futures Global Summit
Human health sits at the centre of the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification. The FHF Global Summit 2025 will convene experts and influencers from across these domains to advocate for a more unified approach to mitigating that triple threat, and to explore coordinated adaptation strategies that can save lives today and build health systems fit for the future. Find out more here.
25 April | London
Westminster Health Forum: Priorities for the 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS
This conference will explore priorities for the NHS’s 10-Year Health Plan as the Government reviews public consultation and prepares for the Treasury’s June Spending Review. Discussions will focus on transitioning the NHS to a community-based, tech-enabled, and prevention-focused system, with key topics including reducing waiting times, improving primary and emergency care access, and NHS financial reform. More information and registration details can be found here.
20 May | Hybrid
Hot Brain 3
This meeting, jointly organised by UCL and The Lancet Neurology, will raise awareness about the risk of climate change for brain and neurological healthcare, to nurture global collaborative research, and to promote action against climate change and foster adaptation strategies. Find out more and register here.
20 June | Online
SHARE 2025 – Sustainable Healthcare Academic Research and Enterprise
Registration is open for SHARE 2025, a free online conference that is co-hosted by the University of Brighton and the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. This year’s theme is “Sustainable healthcare: strengthening the evidence base for net zero health systems.”
The event will feature keynote talks, presentations, and posters. Abstract submissions for oral presentations or posters are open until 28 February 2025. Registration details can be found here.
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New resources
Update Green Plan by NHS England
NHS England has published updated guidance to help organisations develop green plans that support world-class patient care, save money, and reduce waste — advancing the NHS’s journey to net zero. Plans must be board-approved, published on the organisation’s website, and shared with NHS England by 31 July 2025. Now’s the time to prioritise sustainable healthcare strategies. Access it here.
New Whitepaper on Tackling Single-Use Plastics in Healthcare
Single-use items are essential in healthcare, but their increasing use poses significant environmental and supply chain challenges. BUPA and Health Care Without Harm have released a thought-provoking whitepaper that outlines key principles for reducing reliance on these materials while maintaining high standards of patient care. The paper offers practical steps, inspiring global case studies, and insights into the need for further research on the health and environmental impacts of single-use plastics. Read it here.
Air Pollution Companion
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has launched the Air Pollution Companion, a new resource designed to help child health professionals address the impact of air pollution on children’s health. Following the 2021 Coroner report on the death of Ella Kissi-Debrah, which recommended that healthcare professionals engage patients on air pollution, this platform aims to provide the knowledge and confidence needed to do so. Access it here.
New Report: Advancing and Integrating Climate and Health Policies in the UK
The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research has released a new report on advancing and integrating climate and health policies in the UK. The report explores how climate action can support public health and highlights the need for cohesive policies that address both climate and health challenges. Read the full report here.
New report: Climate change and health: Embedding ethics into policy and decision making
A new report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics makes two key recommendations to ensure that climate change measures are fair and effective: (1) policy and decision-makers should recognise, consider and address the intersections between climate change and health when developing and implementing all climate measures and (2) ethics should be embedded in this process from the outset. Download the report here.
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Articles, podcasts and videos
We’ve pulled together a list of recent articles, podcasts and videos worth reading, watching, listening and sharing.
- The UKHACC wrote an article expressing appreciation for the timely submission of a robust NDC by the UK government which is in line with the Paris Agreement.
- This new research finds that despite national recommendations for plant-forward diets, NHS hospitals show limited commitment and offerings in this area.
- Listen to this new podcast series by Real Zero. It brings together experts to explore the urgent intersection of climate change and health, offering insights, solutions, and a call to action for a sustainable future.
- Read this article to understand more about how the climate crisis is affecting our food supplies.
- This blog explains why health professionals are urging the government to stop support for the Let’s Eat Balanced campaign.
- This article provides a good overview of the key points in the court ruling on the permits for Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields being unlawful because they did not take into account CO2 emissions. This episode of Scotcast also gives a really helpful explainer of the case from start to finish.
- Research published in Nature Energy found strategies around energy demand could reduce emissions from buildings by 51-85% and transport by 37-91% by 2050, compared to a “current policies scenario”.
- This article warns that the world’s financial stability watchdog has warned that disasters caused by climate change are increasingly likely to trigger broader panic in financial markets.
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Please share
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If you’ve got information about resources, campaigns, or events you would like to be included in the next edition, please send them to info@ukhealthalliance.org. The next bulletin will be published on 14 March 2025.