Climate Change

As the report by the NHS Federation and the New Economics Foundation, ‘Taking the Temperature’ states, climate change presents a dual challenge for the NHS.  First, it needs to anticipate and prepare for the public health impacts of climate change.  But also, as one of the world’s biggest public sector organisations responsible for around 30 per cent of all public sector carbon dioxide emissions in England, it needs to reduce its own carbon emissions and therefore its contribution to climate change. 

This section will highlight the impacts of climate change on health and well being and the NHS estate, as well as providing additional background information

Adaptation to Climate Change

The Earth’s climate is changing; differences in global temperatures are already altering weather patterns, causing sea levels to rise and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather. Even if we stopped all emissions today, those already released into the atmosphere will continue to cause changes to the climate for the next 30-40 years.

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Climate Change & Built Environment

Climate change will also have an effect on the built environment, with flooding, heating and cooling issues as well as structural effects.

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Climate Change & Human Health

An average temperature rise of just two degrees centigrade will have a catastrophic impact on human health. It will be the most vulnerable societies, and the most vulnerable people within those societies, who will suffer most. This makes tackling climate change at all levels – individually, organisationally, locally, regionally and globally – a public health imperative and an urgent priority for NHS leadership.

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The Science

This section contains some background information into the science behind climate change and the impacts it is predicated to have.

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