13th March 2026
The escalating crisis in the Middle East has resulted in global energy price shocks which will impact people all over the world, particularly those who rely on oil and gas for fuel. It exposes the vulnerability of nations so dependent on some of the most volatile commodities in the world with prices that can fluctuate so sharply and rapidly. And it reinforces why it is so critical for nations to protect themselves from this dependency by generating their own energy from reliable sources – the sun and the wind – and well insulated homes. The cost benefits are laid out in a new report by the UK Climate Change Committee which found that one fossil fuel price shock could cost the UK more than the entire additional cost of the transition to net zero by 2050 (see resources section below).
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News
Jury returns unanimous not guilty verdict in case against climate-protesting medics
Six healthcare professionals have been acquitted for charges of causing criminal damage as part of a protest during the UK’s first ever red alert heatwave in July 2022. The medics had cracked windows of JP Morgan bank in an intervention to highlight the threat and prevent the unfolding health emergency. Find out more
UK’s first geothermal power plant switched on
Renewable energy generated from water super-heated by rocks is expected to generate electricity for 10,000 homes. The new plant is a first for the UK. Globally investment in electricity generated from geothermal energy is growing rapidly. The Netherlands, for example, is aiming for a quarter of homes to be heated using geothermal by 2050. Find out more.
Stove industry threatening action against public health messaging
An investigation by the BMJ has found that a number of councils in England have been threatened with legal action for running public health campaigns warning against the use of wood burning stoves. Freedom of information requests indicated that 30% of councils had received emails, including threats of legal action, linked to public information on the harms of wood burning. Find out more
Global sea level rise has been underestimated
Inaccurate modelling has resulted in sea levels being underestimated by about 30cm. Analysis published in Nature reported that in some places of the Global South the sea level may be as much as 100-150cm that previously thought. Rising sea levels are a major threat to coastal communities across the world. This new analysis suggests more communities may be at risk than previously thought. Find out more
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Have your say
Consultation on domestic burning of solid fuels
A UK wide consultation is currently seeking views around proposals to tighten smoke emission limits for new stoves, introduce mandatory labelling about the health risks, and increase enforcement penalties for non-compliance. Health professionals and organisations are encouraged to respond if you can. There is some information linked below to help with this. The deadline for submissions is 19 March.
- UKHACC response you may want to use this to inform your own responses but avoid copying and pasting directly as it may result in submissions being rejected
- The Healthy Air Coalition has provided this guidance for responding to the consultation
- Mums 4 Lungs has provided this guidance
Call for a better and fairer Cymru together
As the Senedd elections approach, organisations are invited to sign onto the Cymru Together open letter which sets out shared priorities to make life fairer, put power in people’s hands, and restore nature for everyone. Cymru Together is a non-party-political collaboration of diverse voices united in a call for a fairer, healthier and more equal Wales. Sign the letter.
Support Danish opposition to a new oil field
Fossil Free Future Denmark is seeking signatories on a letter calling on the Danish Government to reject an application to extract oil and gas from the Hejre field in the North Sea. In a situation comparable to the Rosebank field in the UK, an initial application was revoked as a result of inadequate information on scope 3 emissions in the Environmental Impact Assessment. Energy company Ineos has now submitted its assessment of scope 3 emissions which amounts to 47.5 million tonnes of CO2 – more than the entire country of Denmark’s emissions last year. Add your signature
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Opportunities/Get involved
RECRUITMENT: Director of UKHACC
The UK Health Alliance on Climate Change is seeking a passionate and talented individual to lead the organisation when our current Director leaves the organisation in May. This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally significant alliance at a critical moment for climate and health. The Director provides leadership focused on shaping the health sector’s voice on climate action and delivery of policies to safeguard current and future generations. The deadline for applications is 27 March. Find out more.
Host a screening of the National Emergency Briefing film
In November 2025, 1200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, faith, science and civil society gathered in Westminster Central Hall for the first National Emergency Briefing: a formal, evidence-led presentation by leading UK experts on the risks to our health, food security, economy and national security. The campaign is now entering Phase 2: taking a powerful 45-minute film version of the briefing to communities across the country, through locally organised screenings in village halls, workplaces, universities, churches, cinemas and other civic venues. The aim is simple: to create moments of shared awareness at a local level, so that MPs can see clearly that their constituents understand both the scale of the risk and the need for a proportionate national response. We’re encouraging health organisations with the facilities to do so to host a screening and discussion. These events are not party-political and do not prescribe specific policies. They focus on presenting the evidence clearly and respectfully, and creating space for informed conversation. The NEB Supporter Toolkit explains what’s involved in organising a screening.
HSJ Awards 2026
Entries for the annual HSJ Awards are open. The awards provide a platform for showcasing the most impactful projects, best practice initiatives, and transformative innovations shaping the future of NHS care. There are 25 award categories including one on ‘Towards Net Zero’ and three new awards designed to reflect shifting priorities towards neighbourhood care, pathway redesign and system working. The deadline for submissions is 29 May. Find out more
Scottish Impact Awards 2026
The Scottish Impact Awards celebrate the organisations across Scotland that are leading the way in responsible business practices and embedding environmental, social and governance principles into their strategy, culture and community impact. There are a number of categories to choose from including a ‘Climate Action Champion’ award. The deadline for entries is Thursday 25 July. Find out more.
Join the Infrastructure Transformational Resilience Coalition (ITRC)
The ITRC works to build population-led capacity for mental wellness and transformational resilience to prevent and heal the distresses and traumas generated during the climate emergency. Over 75 organizations from numerous countries are already participating in the consortium which is organising to promote the formation of resilience networks in neighbourhoods and communities worldwide to build social connections and mutual aid networks for the climate crisis and other adversities. Register to join here.
Support the NHS Forest crowdfunder
The NHS owns around 6,500 hectares of land in England alone – an area nearly twice the size of Blackpool. The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare’s NHS Forest project aims to turn underutilized land into vibrant green spaces that can improve patient outcomes and staff wellbeing. Planting trees also helps healthcare sites manage flood risks and keep buildings cool in summer as well as providing vital habitats for wildlife. Donations to support tree planting and other nature-rich spaces for patients, families and NHS staff are currently being sought. The planting window is short – funds need to be raised by the end of March to start planting this year. Make a donation.
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Events and courses
Measuring the mental health co-benefits of climate action
10.00-12.00 Wednesday 18 March 2026 | Online
There is growing recognition that climate, net-zero and air-quality interventions can deliver important mental health and wellbeing co-benefits. However, outcomes are rarely measured in a consistent or meaningful way in practice. This workshop brings together people working across climate, environment and public health to share experiences. The outcomes will be synthesised into recommendations for research, policy and practice. Register here
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Climate Connected Communities Launch
13.00-15.00 Tuesday 24 March 2026 | Online
Do you have creative and innovative ideas to help build climate resilience in London? Groundwork is looking for collaborations and community-led projects to work with them on solution-focused ideas for climate resilience, with opportunities to pitch for £1,000 grants. Register here.
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Scotland’s National Food Debate
18.30-20.30 Wednesday 8 April 2026 | In person (Edinburgh)
With the publication of Scotland’s first National Good Food Nation Plan, food policy has become a defining issue for the Scottish elections in May. This pre-election hustings will see party representatives answer questions from a live audience and broadcast online across Scotland. Register here.
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Greener Palliative Care Award Celebration
17.00-18.30 Thursday 16 April 2026 | Online
Five organisations have been granted greener palliative care awards, in recognition of exemplary leadership in environmental sustainability across palliative and end of life care services. Join this event to hear award winners sharing their experiences and learning, and discover the schemes next steps. Register.
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From What is, to What if? – Re-imagining a sustainable healthcare system
Workshop facilitated by Rob Hopkins
Friday 24 – Saturday 25 April 2026 | In person (London)
Climate and health groups and individuals working/with an interest in climate and health are invited to a 2 day workshop to re-imagine our health care systems.
Day 1 (10.00-18.00): Workshop facilitated by Rob Hopkins, author of ‘From What Is to What If’
Day 2 (9.30-16.00): Working collaboratively towards a shared vision of public health
Participants limited to 40. £60-£140 inclusive of 2 day workshop, lunch and refreshments on both days. Some fully subsidised places available. Register to apply
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SusQI Showcase
13.30-16.00Thursday 21 May 2026 | In person and online
SusQI enhances healthcare quality, improves patient outcomes and supports net zero goals. This free annual showcase of sustainability in quality improvement projects is an opportunity to hear about projects using SusQI as a tool for improving patient outcomes while minimising negative environmental impact, adding social value and often saving money. Find out more.
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CleanMed Europe 2026
23-25 June 2026 | In person and online
Europe’s leading conference on sustainable healthcare will once again bring together professionals from healthcare, sustainability, industry and academia for three days of inspiration, collaboration and action and groundbreaking discussions on the future of sustainable healthcare. Register here before 20 March to take advantage of the 20% early bird discount.
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Curious Cities Assembly
24-25 June 2026
The Curious Cities Assembly is a new gathering of local leaders, advocates and experts focused on making cities safer, healthier and more liveable while tackling the climate crisis. Through the lens of children, it will explore evidence-led, practical steps to cut toxic air, carbon emissions, road danger, and shape places so everyone can move with independence. Save the date.
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Cradle to Grave – The Health Impacts of Fossil Fuels and The Imperative of a Just Transition in Latin America & the Caribbean
14.00 Quito | 16.00 Santiago Wednesday 18 March 2026 | Online
This regional webinar will explore the health impacts of fossil fuels across the full lifecycle and the imperative for just transition report. Speakers will discuss how fossil fuel extraction, refining, transport and combustion affect communities across Latin America and the Caribbean, and how the health evidence can strengthen advocacy for a just transition away from fossil fuels. Register here.
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Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Courses
Designed for health professionals, educators, and sustainability or estates managers, CSH has a range of courses offering a mix of core concepts, case studies, and the sharing of interdisciplinary perspectives and experiences. Find out more.
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CPDMatch: Climate change education for the healthcare industry
CPDmatch is a not-for-profit website for healthcare professionals, employing organisations and supplier industries to find the educational resources required to deliver net zero sustainable healthcare and become confident in communicating and inspiring others to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. More information is available here
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New resources
CCC: Cost of net zero by 2050 less than a single fossil fuel price shock
A new report from the Climate Change Committee looked at the cost of decarbonising the UK and impacts on energy security tested against different scenarios. Their analysis found that one fossil fuel price shock could cost the UK more than the entire additional cost of the transition to net zero; the benefits of net zero far outweigh the costs; and annual energy losses are halved compared today. Read the report
Accelerating health sector decarbonisation through medicines carbon footprinting
This new report by Public Policy Projects highlights the critical role of medicines in delivering the NHS’ net zero commitments, and sets out practical steps to accelerate progress without compromising patient care or the resilience of the medicines supply chain. Find out more.
Compass Project: Guiding minds and inspiring action in climate change education
This new report from Climate Cares at Imperial College London shares the views of 200+ students and educators in schools, colleges and universities in England. It presents a roadmap for putting emotional resilience at the heart of climate change education to support every student and educator to live, work and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Read the report.
Environmental Audit Committee Seventh Carbon Budget
The UK Environmental Audit Committee report sets out the outcomes of their inquiry into the government’s approach to setting the seventh carbon budget and makes recommendations to inform the government’s approach to delivering. Areas covered include budget, governance and cross-government delivery, sectorial challenges, and the role of behaviour change, fairness and public consent along with Parliament’s role in scrutinising, legislation and delivery. Read the report.
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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.
- In this BMJ article, UKHACC Chair Hugh Montgomery asks if warnings of climate risks from economists and intelligence services will at last move us to act
- This Substack by Bob Doppelt says truly effective resilience requires forming local resilience networks that build social connections and engage residents in providing mutual aid.
- This blog by Liz Gadd says that if fairness is built in from the start, environmental action can cut bills, improve homes, and reduce food insecurity in Scotland
- The latest edition of the Climate Leadership podcast features a thoughtful conversation with the Grantham Institute’s Neil Jennings on turning knowledge into change.
- This piece in The Conversation by UCL Professor Mark Maslin describes four win-win areas to tackle health and climate together and lift millions of people out of poverty
- This analysis by Climate Outreach asked if the Green Party has stopped talking about climate change and environmental issues and what this means for public engagement strategies
- The CarbonCopy podcast shares the voices of amazing people working locally for climate, nature and community across the UK
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