Your web browser is outdated and may be insecure

The RCN recommends using an updated browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome

Greening the workplace

Sustainability

Why it matters in health and care, and what we’re doing to help

Sustainability is a broad term that captures social, economic and environmental activities needed to ensure a prosperous, safe and equitable world for everyone.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent 17 areas of action to address global inequalities and tackle climate change.

The 17 SDGs are integrated. They recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in others. They also acknowledge that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Why is sustainability important in health care?

Health and care services provided by NHS and independent sectors are a major contributor to climate change contribution. They account for approximately 5% of global emissions. This equates to roughly 2 gigatons of carbon dioxide. That’s equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 514 coal-fired power plants. 

The delivery of health and care requires equipment and consumables that deplete natural resources and create harmful waste and biproducts. This includes how we heat and supply energy to hospitals, manufacture and use consumables and equipment and how we manage the waste we create. Other factors such as the use of vehicles by staff, patients, procurement agencies and ambulances all contribute to pollution. All of these can increase the burden on health and disease, particularly in poor communities or those where inequalities exist. 

Measures to tackle climate change include reducing petrol vehicle use, tackling air pollution and moving to more plant-based diets. These can have positive health effects, both at an individual and a societal level. So, action to tackle climate change also brings positive health benefits.

How you can help

We’re committed to supporting you, our members, as well as the wider nursing and midwifery community to deliver care in a way that: 

  • is environmentally sustainable 
  • reduces inequalities 
  • improves health outcomes 
  • helps to reduce costs  

We believe that all those working within nursing and midwifery have a key role to play in addressing these challenges. If you’re a healthcare support worker, nursing and midwifery student, cadet, registered nurse or midwife, you have a unique opportunity to support the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable care.  Read our report on how nurses are contributing to meeting the SDGs.

As the largest part of the health and care workforce, nursing is at the forefront of providing care to communities and people affected by climate change. Nursing is a profession grounded in science, and one trusted by the public, so you’re well-placed to speak out on this issue. Why not talk to your patients about the beneficial relationships between climate change and health?

Our work on sustainability is evolving

Our members understand that climate change requires urgent action. Our work on sustainability, including climate change, is broad and we’re working hard to integrate this in all our work.

The Lancet Countdown

The Lancet Countdown tracks connections between public health and climate change and publishes an annual report. The 2022 report is now available.

Here at the RCN, we take seriously our role as a member of the UK Health Alliance on climate change. We’ve contributed to the accompanying UK Policy brief to be posted on the Lancet Countdown website. More information will follow.

RCN Sustainability in Nursing Conference

The RCN’s first national sustainability conference allowed nursing staff across the UK and Ireland to learn about the latest evidence on the impact of sustainability, and how health and care delivery can contribute to tackling climate change.

If you were unable to attend, or if you'd like to rewatch, you can catch up on sessions from the conference below.

An image of the texture of the earth being projected on a pair of hands

Helpful resources

Our position on climate change

RCN members passed an emergency resolution on climate change at Congress 2019. A position paper was subsequently published and can be viewed here.

Our Sustainability Education Programme

We are currently developing an online education programme called Leading Sustainability in health and care. This 20-credit virtual programme will support you as you learn about sustainability.

It’s due to launch in 2023. See our professional services pages for more information.

RCN Glove Awareness Week

This annual awareness raising week includes activities to support the appropriate use of gloves. We address the three key themes of sustainability, prevention of infection and skin health.

Dates for 2023 will be confirmed soon. All our glove awareness resources are available online to view or download.

Our Sustainability Network

This virtual network is in development. It will support members by sharing information and offering opportunities to shape and contribute to RCN activity on sustainability including climate change. More information will follow shortly.

Online Nursing Sustainably Study Guide

Our online guide includes details of key resources and books on promoting sustainable nursing practice within health and care settings. There are also links to searches for materials available within our extensive book and journal collections.

Better procurement

Our Small Changes, Big Differences work is designed to support you in making smarter and more sustainable procurement choices that are good for your services, patients and environment. 

We’re currently reviewing this campaign to ensure it’s as effective as it can be.

How we work with other organisations on sustainability

We collaborate and support many organisations and individuals working on improving sustainability in health and care. These represent formal and informal alliances, as well as programmes of work aligned to shared objectives.

Formal Alliances

UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC)

We are a founder member of the Alliance, which brings together leading healthcare professional organisations. It advocates for actions at governmental and system level to tackle climate change and protect and promote public health.

It was formed in 2016 to coordinate action, provide leadership and amplify the voices of the UK’s healthcare professionals on all things relating to climate change and sustainability.

You can find out more on the Alliance’s website.

Health Care Without Harm

We’re also a member of Health Care Without Harm – an international coalition of health care organisations and professionals. We collaborate with Health Care Without Harm Europe on areas particularly related to nursing practice, such as the reduction of plastics and waste.

The coalition shares a vision of a health care sector that does no harm, is committed to preventing disease and promotes the health of people and the environment.

You can find out more on the Health Care Without Harm website.

Sustainability news

Filter

Reset filter