Climate change is having escalating impacts on human health and the health services we deliver. The Net Zero Roadmap consultation showed that 85% of staff and community respondents were concerned about the impacts of climate change on people’s health. We know that peoples’ health and wellbeing are intertwined with the environment we live in.
Australia’s health system contributes 5.4% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and public hospitals represent just over a third of that. We recognise that we cannot continue to deliver high-quality healthcare without responding to climate risk. Building a modern, low carbon and climate resilient healthcare system is our shared goal captured in Future Health strategic priority 6: The health system is managed sustainably.
This is an issue which is personally very important to our staff and community. More than 80% of our staff support action to make our health system more environmentally sustainable (2023 PMES). When surveyed, 90% of recently admitted patients support ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health and its hospitals providing health services in more environmentally sustainable ways. (AAPS, 2024) ,
This roadmap will guide our strategic approach to the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Government’s net zero targets. It sets out where we’re at, what we’ve done and our direction for the next 5 years. Work is already in progress across ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health, with identified carbon hotspots, leading programs and case studies showcased in this roadmap. As they show, every ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health staff member, from energy managers to food service staff to anaesthetists - has a role to play in our net zero transition.
The strategic priorities outlined in this roadmap have been developed through the input of thousands of individuals who have generously shared their views, experiences and aspirations for our health system.
We acknowledge the dedication of thousands of staff across our health system who delivering high quality healthcare, whilst reducing waste and emissions.
It’s our planet and our health. Together, we can all make a real difference.
Susan Pearce AM Secretary, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health
Matthew Daly Deputy Secretary, System Sustainability and Performance