Scottish Academy Statement on the climate emergency

22 Oct 2021

The Scottish Academy recognises that climate change is a global public health issue; that decarbonisation is vital to protect public health and mental healthⁱ; and believes there is a role for healthcare professionals in leading climate change mitigation in the Scottish healthcare system.

Healthcare professionals in Scotland must be supported to make their working practices more environmentally sustainable, including how they treat patients.

As such, for real change to happen, activity must be taken at all levels of the healthcare system – including by government, health boards, hospital departments, GP practices, care homes and hospices – and by healthcare professionals themselves, including those working in private practices, or for private healthcare providers.

At NHS Board level sustainability work must be supported and adequately resourced and be seen as a priority by all departments. At an individual level, healthcare professionals must be assisted in making greener decisions about what medical products they use regarding carbon intensity – such the asthma inhalers and anaesthetics one may use, for example.

As one of Scotland’s largest employers, the NHS in Scotland has a vital role to play in helping to make the healthcare system more ‘green’. NHS Scotland has committed to being a ‘net-zero’ greenhouse gas emissions organisation by 2045ⁱⁱ, and it is clear that many staff are eager to deliver a greener NHS in Scotland in line with the Scottish Government’s own ambitions.

Yet the experience on the ground is not always consistent with those ambitions. The Scottish Academy is concerned by reports of wastage in the NHS (particularly around medicines and single use items like PPE, plastic drinking cups and blood collection tubes which are currently in short supply due to increased global demand linked to the COVID-19 pandemic).

We must reduce waste. The Scottish Academy is calling for an open public consultation on NHS Scotland sustainability strategy.

For example, around 25% of NHS carbon emissions are from medicinesⁱⁱⁱ and therefore specific actions are required to reduce the environmental impact of medicines. This should include taking a Realistic Medicine approach to avoid unnecessary prescribing and changing from metered dose to lower carbon inhalers.

In addition, single-use aprons, face masks, gowns and gloves are currently not recyclable or biodegradable and the Scottish Academy is calling on the NHS and the NHS Supply Chain to be innovative around the sustainable recycling of PPE, but only where these products meet quality and safety standards.

For items that are recyclable, the Scottish Academy believes that there should be sufficient recycling bins in all clinical areas, as well as in patient waiting areas, since the recycling of general waste is also a challenge.

The Scottish Academy is aware of the benefits that video technology brings. Video technology now affords options that can help patients and clinicians avoid unnecessary journeys, which cause vehicle emissions. For example, transport accounted for more than one third of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2018^iv. Investment in the right infrastructure can support active travel, and the Scottish Academy is calling for this to be promoted more by the NHS, as part of its contribution to cleaner air ambitions.

Finally, the Scottish Academy is calling for the NHS to ensure that it provides patients and staff with healthy, sustainable food choices. Individuals can choose to eat locally, reduce meat consumption, eat with the seasons and grow their own food to help the environment^v – and the Scottish Academy believes that if the NHS in Scotland applied these principles, it would help reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, by offering healthy, locally sourced food in healthcare settings, the NHS would be doing its bit to help tackle obesity and diabetes.

While the Scottish Academy notes the Scottish Government and NHS current efforts on climate change, it believes that changes on the ground need to happen for any impact to be made – and that governance of sustainability activities must be robust to ensure progress. The healthcare community in Scotland is concerned about the current and future impact of climate change on population health – and they stand ready and willing to do their bit to reduce healthcare’s carbon footprint.

[i] Decarbonisation of the health sector: a commentary by EASAC and FEAM: https://www.interacademies.org/publication/decarbonisation-health-sector-commentary-easac-and-feam

[ii] Chief Medical Officer – annual report: 2020 to 2021: https://www.gov.scot/publications/cmo-annual-report-2020-21/pages/6/

[iii] Greener NHS – areas of focus: https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/a-net-zero-nhs/areas-of-focus/

[iv] Update to the climate change plan – key sectors: https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefings/Report/2021/1/12/109b01e8-6212-11ea-8c12-000d3a23af40

[v] Eating healthy and sustainable food: https://www.netzeronation.scot/take-action/eating-greener/eating-healthy-and-sustainable-diet

Category: Climate Change