The WONCA Working Party on the Environment Statement to declare a climate emergency.

The science recording past and predicting future global warming and climate change with the risks to human and planetary health is not in doubt. WONCA can influence family practices globally and the communities they serve to take the actions needed to mitigate the causes of climate change and adapt for climate change.

In declaring a climate emergency WONCA would: 
1. acknowledge the climate crisis which threatens population health 
2. commit to fast-tracking the reduction of carbon emissions 
3. work on collaborative actions to deliver net zero carbon before 2030 
4. call on other organisations like the World Medical Association and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare a climate emergency.

The climate crisis threatens population health through the effects on the supply of clean air, safe drinking water and crop yields; and the impacts from extreme weather, heat and cold stress and air pollution. Other impacts include those from biodiversity loss and ecosystem breakdown, expansion in vector borne diseases and crop failures that may lead to mass migrations. Actions that mitigate climate change like the promotion of active travel, reducing meat intake and social prescribing, can bring co-benefits for population health with less air pollution, obesity, cancer and better mental health.

Fast-tracking the reduction of our carbon emissions. In October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that we have 12 years (until 2030) to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5oC, beyond which even 0.5oC will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty affecting the health of hundreds of millions of people. They say urgent and unprecedented changes are needed to reach the target, which is affordable and feasible. The risk of inaction on the climate crisis on planetary health is immeasurable whilst the cost to WONCA of declaring a climate emergency and instigating a review, is minimal.

Work on collaborative actions to deliver zero carbon before 2030. Many Governments and other organisations have a target net zero carbon by 2050. WONCA represents the largest group of doctors and their patients and should promote and develop these initiatives and call on others to do likewise. WONCA can stimulate its associated organizations to adopt the WHO green procurement policy as well as to suggest the replication of the successful British National Health System model Sustainable Development Unit.

Call on other organisations like the World Medical Association and the World Health Organisation to declare a climate emergency. WONCA should use its influence with other governing bodies and health professionals associations to formally acknowledge the climate emergency and take the urgent actions needed.

Proposed actions by WONCA Working Party on the Environment in response to the climate emergency:

As WONCA represents the sector which will be among the first to feel the increased workload caused by the climate emergency, it is appropriate that WONCA carries out an immediate review about how to mitigate the climate crisis and promote environmental sustainability. We suggest the following actions be considered by WONCA:

Monitor the carbon footprint of WONCA structures and processes and minimise the use of airplane flights and reduce the overall footprint to net zero before 2030

Ensure that WONCA’s policies and actions are consistent with reducing its carbon footprint; e.g. through ensuring that all WONCA decisions go through a clear assessment of the impact of any plan or action on planetary health.

Ensure that internal processes and meeting arrangements encourage a reduction in travel through greater use of video conferencing technologies etc.

Ensure that at its conference and at internal meetings the impact on climate is addressed in relation to areas like catering, venue, and travel arrangements. (Ref SDU/PHE sustainable events guide How to hold a low carbon, sustainable event)

Actively support the development of a worldwide network of climate crisis and sustainability champions and enable the groups to find and share best practices faster with the WONCA working party on the environment

Support and ensure there are educational resources for GP/Family doctor practices to become carbon zero – e.g. promote cascades of awareness, use spearhead strategies, and carbon literacy and numeracy training.

Actively promote the use of resources like the RCGP Green Impact for Health toolkit www.greenimpact.org.uk/giforhealth that details specific actions that can be taken by family doctors to improve their sustainability and work towards zero carbon.

Ensure that any member benefits that WONCA offers are in line with its commitments to support CO2 footprint reduction; through ensuring that member benefits do not encourage luxury holidays with flights and cars using fossil fuel etc.

Ensure those working in primary care know how this emergency may affect them, through, for example, easily available e-learning modules and that this is included in WONCA updates.

Ensure that the medical student and GP/FD training curricula reflect the challenges of the climate emergency.

Create and distribute educational resources relating to the climate emergency to be used in primary care settings for clinicians and patients.

WONCA should explain how the health of patients and the planet are inextricably linked and promote both the government and societal actions needed to both mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis and protect public and planetary health.

Enrique Falceto de Barros, WONCA Working Party on the Environment Chair 
Alice McGushin, WONCA Working Party on the Environment Vice-Chair
Alan Abelsohn, WONCA Working Party on the Environment Provost
Terry Kemple, WONCA Working Party on the Environment member and primary writer of this proposition.

Endorsed by WONCA Executive November 2019