17th April 2026
From Elaine Mulcahy: This will be my final UKHACC news bulletin before I leave the organisation in May to move to a new role. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be the Director of UKHACC for the last four years. I am grateful to everyone who has taken the time to subscribe to this news bulletin, everyone who has submitted content over the months, and all those who have written with comments, suggestions and feedback to ensure the bulletin is useful to everyone who receives it. Keep engaging, keep pushing for action, keep taking the lead and getting involved. And please support our new Director when they take over the role in the coming weeks (more on this soon).
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News and Updates
Experts warn against North Sea drilling
The current global energy crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East is placing pressure on governments to respond domestically to protect populations from increasing fuel prices. In the UK, this comes at the same time as decisions on applications to drill the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields in the North Sea are being considered. An intervention by 65 leading climate scientists has warned against drilling in the North Sea and urged prioritisation of renewables as a more cost-effective response Find out more
Non-survivable heatwaves are already breaching human limits
A recent study has found that extreme heat is already causing ‘non-survivable’ conditions for humans in heatwaves that have killed thousands and probably many more. The research warns that people are more susceptible to rising temperatures than previously thought. Find out more
Cost of net zero by 2050 less than a single fossil fuel shock
Analysis by the UK Climate Change Committee has concluded that the total additional cost of a single fossil fuel price spike comparable to 2022 is likely to be as large as the total net additional cost of meeting the pathway to net zero across every year to 2050. The CCC found net zero to be a more cost-effective path for the UK economy than continued reliance on fossil fuels and would bring a net benefit to society. Find out more
New Lancet Commission on Sea-Level Rise, Health and Justice
With worsening climate change leading to rising seas, a new commission of global experts has been established to investigate and address its health impacts. The 26 member commission will investigate the growing threat of rising seas on human wellbeing and equity. Find out more
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Have your say
Write to your local candidates in Scotland and Wales
The Scottish and Welsh Parliament elections will take place on Thursday 7 May. We’ve created a simple tool for health professionals living in Scotland and Wales to write to their local candidates and call on them to protect health, healthcare and the environment. Simply type in your postcode and use the editable template email to send a message to all of the candidates up for election in your area. Write to your local candidates.
Living in Scotland: Ask your local candidates for strong action to reduce emissions and improve health.
Living in Wales: Ask your local candidates to deliver a healthier, resilient and more equal Wales
Call for a televised national emergency briefing
Join the call for a national televised emergency briefing on the climate crisis. A letter to the Prime Minister and the heads of BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, S4C, and Ofcom says that all public service broadcasters are required to inform the public of major and international issues and that the UK has failed to meet this obligation. It calls for a televised national emergency briefing and public engagement campaign to ensure the risks are well understood. Sign the letter.
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Opportunities/Get involved
Host a screening of the National Emergency Briefing film
Can you host a screening of the National Emergency Briefing, a public information initiative working to ensure the public and parliament are clearly and honestly briefed on the risks the climate and nature crisis poses to the UK? The powerful 45-minute film is being shown across the country through locally-organised screenings. The aim is to create moments of shared awareness at a local level so that elected politicians can see clearly that their constituents understand both the scale of the risk and the need for a proportionate national response. They focus on presenting the evidence clearly and respectfully and creating space for informed civic conversation. Some links to more information are provided below:
Great Big Green Week
Great Big Green Week takes place from 6-14 June 2026. This is an annual week of community action where people come together for nature and for climate. Together for good, we can make our neighbourhoods better places to live, protect the natural world we love and show politicians and decision makers that people across the UK want positive change. Find and event near you or create your own. Get involved
Better Transport Week
Better Transport Week takes place across England and Wales from 15-21 June 2026. The week is an opportunity for industry, government, NGOs, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists to get involved in events, actions and campaigns. Find out more and get involved.
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.
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Events and Courses
PATHFINDER INITIATIVE WEBINAR SERIES: PART 1
Evidence for action: the future of climate and health research
16.00-17.30 Tuesday 21 April 2026 | Online
The first webinar of the Pathfinder series focus on the evidence base for action. Speakers will share insights and resources from the Pathfinder Initiative, including the impact of climate and health action in cities, the health benefits of tree-based solutions, and a new AI-powered living evidence map that brings together global climate and health evidence in real time. Find out more
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Oil Wars: Winning a just transition in an era of energy crisis
17.30-19.00 Thursday 23 April 2026 | Online
During these volatile times we need to adapt and continue making the case for a bold, ambitious and systematic just transition away from fossil fuels and towards real energy security. This event will hear from campaigners providing different campaigning and policy responses to the crisis. Experts in democratic engagement from Hope for the Future will also explore a counter-lobbying approach to take asks directly to those in power. Register
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Mission critical: What’s next for engaging communities in the clean energy transition?
11.00-12.00 Wednesday 29 April 2026 | Online
Hear expert insights from Climate Outreach, IPPR and Local Storytelling Exchange on how to effectively communicate with communities on vital infrastructure developments, the economic benefits of engagement in areas of clean energy rollout, and overcoming threats to net zero to realise our clean energy capacity. Register
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Climate change & Infectious diseases: Addressing current challenges & emerging risks through climate-health indicators
15.00-16.00 Thursday 30 April 2026 | Online
The first of a new Lancet Countdown webinar series to share the latest evidence and explore how climate change and health indicators can be further developed and applied to climate action. Register
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Britain Talks Climate and Nature: Workshop
10.30-12.00 Thursday 21 May 2026 | Online | £95 per person
Climate Outreach’s online workshops for small groups are set up to helo you turn the latest insights into impactful communication. You will discover how to connect with your specific audience’s values, gaining detailed insights and practical messaging recommendations found in the Britain Talks Climate & Nature research. Register to join.
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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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PATHFINDER INITIATIVE WEBINAR SERIES: PART 2
What works for climate and health: lessons from cities
12.30-14.00 Tuesday 2 June 2026 | Online
Cities are at the forefront of climate action and are already achieving measurable health benefits through cleaner transport, improved air quality, access to greenspaces, and more equitable urban systems. This session will share practical experiences, lessons learned, and the insights that can inform and inspire action in other urban contexts. Find out more
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West Midlands Climate-Health Explorer launch
10.00-11.30 Thursday 4 June 2026 | Online
Climate change is already influencing health outcomes, service pressures, and economic resilience across the West Midlands. The Climate-Health Explorer brings together the latest evidence, local data, and scientific insights to support better decision-making and more coordinated action climate action. Join this launch webinar to explore how climate action shapes health, inequalities, and economic resilience across the West Midlands. Register
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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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PATHFINDER INITIATIVE WEBINAR SERIES: PART 3
Pathways to a low-carbon, climate resilient Africa
14.00-15.30 Wednesday 1 July 2026 | Online
This session will explore how climate action can align with health and development priorities to accelerate a just transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient future for Africa, featuring presentations on the recently launched Community of Practice on climate action and health in Africa and findings from an analysis of health in Kenya’s climate change policy documents. Find out more
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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
Education for Sustainable Healthcare: Stories, Strategies and Solutions
This eBook from the Medical School’s Council Education for Sustainable Healthcare Alliance is a practical, collaborative, open access publication designed to help support educators and medical schools embed education for sustainable healthcare into their medical curricula. As a collection of contributions from educators across UK medical schools, it presents diverse perspectives, case studies and curriculum integration strategies that reflect the real world. Access the eBook
Beyond the echo chamber with climate and nature communications
This report contains insights from 64 communication professionals dedicated to addressing the climate and nature crisis. The professionals represent a diverse range of organisations working across climate policy, governance and advocacy, climate justice, climate finance, and other sectors. Download the report
No one left behind: unlocking affordable green mobility
This report by Transport & Environment says the government must effectively target incentives for lower-income households to take up electric vehicles in order to cut bills and tackle inequality, anchor UK automotive manufacturing, and reduce emissions and other pollutants. It outlines a number of options the government could take to implement fairer ways to achieve EV uptake. Download the report
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Articles, podcasts, videos
We’ve pulled together a list of recent articles, podcasts and videos worth reading, watching, listening and sharing.
- This commentary in The Lancet Planetary Health draws parallels between the fossil fuel and tobacco industries prioritising profits over public health and says lessons from the past offer a clear path forward.
- This Carbon Brief analysis found that plug-in solar panels could save a typical UK household £1,100 over their 15 year lifespan
- This podcast asks who should pay for the health impacts of the climate crisis following the establishment of the Lancet Commission on sea level rise, health and justice
- The climate crisis is a health emergency. Why aren’t we treating it like one? That’s the question asked in this Outrage and Optimism Podcast
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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 Friday 15 May 2026.