eBulletin15th May 2026
Dear Friends,
I’m delighted to share my first UKHACC news bulletin with you, having taken up the position as the new Director of UKHACC last week. My huge thanks to Elaine for all that she has achieved over the past 4 years, and the support and mentorship she has shown me through our transition. I look forward to working with many of you in the coming months and years as we continue to use our collective influence to bring about meaningful change.
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News and Updates
Charlie Brown appointed Director of UKHACC
The UK Health Alliance on Climate Change has appointed a new Director, Charlie Brown. Charlie brings extensive charity leadership and influencing experience. She takes over the role from outgoing Director, Elaine Mulcahy, who has led the alliance since 2021. Find out more
Government commitment to clean energy expansion
There were promising developments set out in the King’s Speech last week. These included confirmation that the government intend to legislate to end new oil and gas licences and ban fracking and coal licences. The government positioned energy independence as a long term goal of national security with clean energy expansion central to protecting the UK from geopolitical instability and future energy shocks. Long term investment, working with business, developing world class infrastructure and the Energy Independence Bill to scale up homegrown renewable energy were all included. The government’s briefing sets out all the details.
Leaders of 57 countries to develop plans to end reliance on fossil fuels
A first of it’s kind conference in Santa Marta on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels saw national leaders from 57 countries, representing one third of the world’s economy, come together to debate practical ways to move away from the use of fossil fuels. Leaders left with plans to develop national roadmaps away from fossil fuels, address harmful subsisidies and carbon intensive trade. However, it didn’t look at the impact of climate change from a health lens. You can find out more about the Global Climate and Health Alliance’s reaction here.
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Have Your Say
Support the Ten Point Plan lobby
On Wednesday 3 June, there will be a lobby day in Parliament in support of the Ten Point Plant on Plant-Rich Diets – a policy proposal endorsed by more than 60 organisations including the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change. The lobby day aims to encourage MP’s to urge the government to promote plant-rich diets as part of its forthcoming food strategy. The lobby day will be an opportunity for constituents to personally meet their own MPs to seek their support and push the proposals up the political agenda. Those unable to make it to Westminster can also take part by arranging a meeting in their constituency. Find out more about the day and details of how to register your interest in taking part.
Call for a national televised 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
Participate in a study on overheating in paediatric hospitals and acute care settings
Greener NHS is seeking participants for this study, which is supported by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The study will involve interviews with clinical staff and ward managers who work with children and neonates in acute care settings in England to better understand the impacts that heat has on patients, staff and healthcare delivery. The experience, knowledge and insights gathered will be invaluable to the project and ongoing work to increase resilience and safety of patients and staff in the NHS. Interviews will be online, unless in person preferred, and will last about 1 hour. Response will be anonymised. Complete this questionnaire to register your interest and answer a few short questions to inform the interview discussions.
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: 6-14 June
Two million people are expected to come together this June for Great Big Green Week. Make sure you’re one of them! Running from 6-14 June 2026, Great Big Green Week is the UK’s only mass moment for nature and climate. People of all ages and from all walks of life will do something positive for their local area, for nature, and for future generations. No two events are the same, there’s a place for everyone. Organise an event, join one near you, or help spread the word. Whatever you do, you’re part of showing what communities across the UK can achieve when they come together for good. Visit greatbiggreenweek.com to 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
The Lancet MedZero launch events: Carbon analytics for healthcare, by healthcare, at scale
18:30-21.00 (GMT + 2) Wednesday 20 May 2026 | World Health Organisation Headquarters Geneva and online
The official public launch of the Lancet MedZero – a first-of-its-kind global database that delivers carbon analytics across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and care pathways. The platform allows users to contextualise results to their own clinical setting – so the carbon footprint of a treatment decision reflects how and where care is actually delivered. Find out more and register to join here.
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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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The Lancet MedZero launch events: Health Data for Climate Action
13:00-14:30 (GMT + 2) Wednesday 20 May 2026 | Room V Palais de Nations, Geneva
An official World Health Assembly side event co-hosted with NHS England, Philippine Department of Health, the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand and Médecins Sans Frontieres to celebrate the launch of the Lancet MedZero – a first-of-its-kind global database that delivers carbon analytics across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and care pathways. The platform allows users to contextualise results to their own clinical setting – so the carbon footprint of a treatment decision reflects how and where care is actually delivered. Find out more and register to join here.
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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
Resource: Eating Better Alliance Policy Messaging Guide
This resource for members of the Eating Better Alliance and the wider food movement provides organisations with information and guidance on how to tailor their projects, messages and outputs so they are able to more effectively influence food policy. The resource is particularly designed to guide advocacy on food systems aiming for healthier and more sustainable diets. Download the guide.
Report: Environmental sustainability in the NHS
Climate change is a major risk to the health of the UK population and also creates significant operational risks for the NHS. The King’s Fund latest research conducted in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and the Health Foundation, examined how national leaders can ensure the NHS remains fit for the future in the era of climate change. The report finds that sustainability needs to become part of the routine oversight and performance management processes used by national bodies to hold NHS organisations to account and says it is imperative that national leadership for sustainability in the NHS does not become diluted or lost as NHS England merges with the Department of Health and Social Care. Ten recommendations describe a way forward that would build on steps already taken and accelerate the pace of change in line with the scale and urgency of the challenge. Download the report and policy brief.
Educate health professionals on the links between climate and health
This new resource from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change sets out the process for membership organisations to educate their members on the links between climate and health. Designed for organisations that represent health professionals, the toolkit focuses on the use of relevant education and training to enable health professionals to deliver change, influence decisions, and communicate effectively with patients and colleagues. Download the guide.
The Lancet MedZero: new resource to understand carbon footprint of treatment decisions
The Lancet MedZero is a first-of-its-kind global database that delivers carbon analytics across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and care pathways. The platform allows users to contextualise results to their own clinical setting – so the carbon footprint of a treatment decision reflects how and where care is actually delivered. Find out more here.
New resources about the link between extreme weather and mental health.
The Climate Mental Health Network has released new resources about extreme weather and mental health. These are geared towards adults, such as parents, caregivers and educators, caring for children and youth before and during dangerous weather events like hurricanes/storms, heat, wildfires and floods. Download the resources 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.
- This Carbon Brief ‘AMOC explainer’ article asks if global warming is tipping key Atlantic ocean currents towards collapse
- 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 12 June 2026.