National Health, Sustainability and Climate Unit1
1 Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, 23 Furzer Street Philip, 2606, NHSC.Unit@health.gov.au
Abstract:
Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy was launched at COP28 in December 2023. It sets out a whole of government plan over five years to address the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change, and to reduce the health system’s contribution to Australia’s emissions. Since its launch, the Australian Government has continued working closely with health organisations, medical colleges, advocacy groups, research institutions and state and territory and other national governments to deliver a number of actions in the Strategy. The health system contributes more than 5% of Australia’s emissions, so health system decarbonisation will be critical to achieve Australia’s net zero target by 2050. Our progress so far includes:
- Developing a baseline estimate of Australia’s health system greenhouse gas emissions
- Reviewing interventions to reduce emissions from health system waste
- Publishing a guide to detecting and reducing leaks in piped systems for nitrous oxide (an anaesthetic agent and powerful greenhouse gas)
- Publishing a joint statement with medical colleges, Working together to achieve sustainable high-quality health care in a changing climate
- Working with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to pilot a new Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience Healthcare Module, providing a framework of actions that use existing health service governance, safety and quality systems.
- Joining an international collaboration with NHS England, the US Department of Health and Human Services and several other countries to decarbonise our supply chains.