Jubilee Post News & Views
Dr. Seema Javed
The National Health Service( NHS) in England has adopted clear deliverables and milestoneswith a multiyear plan to become the world’s first carbon net zero national health system by 2040.The NHS is one of the world’s largest employers in the UK – with 1.2 million employees in England – and accounts for 4% of the UK’s carbon footprint .
The current pandemic has shown us that fragile health systems become overwhelmed in times of crisis.In a report titled “Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service”, they announced thatthe aim is to be net-zero by 2040, with an ambition to reach an 80% reduction by 2028 to 2032.
According to Prof. K Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India-
“Climate change has become the defining threat of the century and human civilization. As the world battles with the COVID pandemic, we are once again reminded that it will be the health sector that will have to take the leadership in healing the planet.
Today’s NHS announcement is an example of such health sector leadership in mitigating the impacts of climate change. It is an inspiration and call to public health establishments around the world to lead by example.”
Some of the early steps taken by NHS will be
- Decarbonise the network of NHS hospitals,by supporting the construction of 40 new ‘net zero hospitals’ as part of the Government’s Health Infrastructure Plan.
- By working with suppliers to ensure that they meet the commitment to net zero emissions.
- By working towards road-testing for the world’s first zero-emission ambulance by 2022, and a shift to zero-emission vehicles by 2032.
- By phasing-out coal boilers, and completing a £50 million LED lighting replacement programme, which, would save over £3 billion in coming three decades.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said: “Cutting carbon emissions is essential to protect health. I welcome the leadership of the largest single health system in the world, the National Health Service in England, in committing to be carbon neutral in its own operations by 2040, and to drive emissions reductions in its suppliers and partners. Leading the way to a greener, safer planet.”
The commitment comes amid growing evidence of the health impacts of climate change and air pollution. Air pollution is linked to killer conditions like heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.The changing climate is leading to more frequent heatwaves and extreme weather events.Almost 900 people were killed by last summer’s heatwaves in UK.Nearly 18 million patients go to a GP practice in an area that exceeds the World Health Organisation’s air pollution limit.
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NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “2020 has been dominated by Covid-19 and is the most pressing health emergency facing us. But undoubtedly climate change poses the most profound long-term threat to the health of the nation. It is not enough for the NHS to treat the problems caused by air pollution and climate change – from asthma to heart attacks and strokes – we need to play our part in tackling them at source.”
Scientists believe perhaps a third of new asthma cases might be avoided by cutting emissions. The NHS has already made significant progress decarbonising.
