Henry Oakley
Project Title:
How Colleges Face a Sustainable Future: Actions on climate change by medical colleges and dental associations of Australia and New Zealand
Abstract:
Doctors and their organisations have an important role in leading on climate change. In this survey, medical colleges and dental associations of Australia and New Zealand varied widely in their response to climate change: from avoidance to centralising sustainability into college governance and activities.
Some colleges are recognising the immediate need to adapt medical systems to the changing climate. Corporate responsibility, through measurement and reduction of emissions from college activities, is an important signal to college members that we all must act.
In many colleges there is potential for improvement in engagement with members and training on sustainability. Doctors and dentists value practical tools for measuring and reducing emissions from clinical practice.
These resources must be supported by advocacy to health system leaders and industry to more powerfully facilitate decarbonisation and adaptation of healthcare and society.
Publication:
Oakley H, Shaw C, Gale J. How colleges should lead on climate. Med J Aust. 2022;217(9):474-6.
