Climate change impacts on social and environmental determinants of health by affecting clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. Children are the most vulnerable to its effects on health.

The way we deliver healthcare affects climate change, with the NHS being a significant contributor to public carbon emissions. As paediatricians, we need to safeguard the health of future generations and ensure our practices remain sustainable. Sustainable healthcare means delivering care in a way that maximises positive health outcomes whilst avoiding financial waste, harmful environmental and social impacts (triple bottom line). This is not limited to reducing waste but also encompasses efficient healthcare pathways and health prevention.

The LSP recognizes this and is dedicated to doing our part. (See our pledge below.)

We are building a green champions community to become advocates to take green action. We want this to be a network of like-minded individuals that will act as a local point of contact for all green activities and messages across different trusts. To help paediatricians drive more sustainability initiatives and action, we will be publishing a toolkit on sustainability to help you make changes towards more sustainable healthcare practices.

The innovation team are always keen to hear new ideas so please get in contact if you want to get involved and feel passionate about sustainability!

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

At the London School of Paediatrics, we are committed to building a sustainable future for the health and well-being of children, our communities and our planet. Our mission is to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our education and practice to create a positive impact on the environment and society.

Our values:

Environmental responsibility: We recognize the need to protect our environment and are dedicated to reducing our ecological footprint. Through sustainable resource management, energy efficiency, waste reduction and responsible procurement, we strive to create a cleaner and greener speciality that inspires environmental consciousness.
Sustainable innovation: We will encourage and support initiatives that focus on sustainability in paediatric healthcare. By fostering innovation, we aim to find ways to enhance healthcare delivery whilst minimizing our environmental impact.
Promoting health and equity: We believe every child has the right to a healthy and equitable future. By incorporating sustainability principles into our practice, we empower healthcare professionals to address social determinants of health and advocate for inclusive and accessible healthcare for all children.

Through these values, the LSP pledges to be a driving force in promoting sustainable health practices and advocating for a better, healthier and more equitable world for children and future generations. Together, we can create a sustainable legacy that extends beyond Paediatrics and positively impacts the health of our planet.

Green

Climate change is a growing threat to child health.

Our Sustainability Pledge

The Green Toolkit