Climate and Health Committee

Sustainability, climate change and biodiversity loss are the pre-eminent issues facing the world today. The planet has entered a climate and ecological emergency and the entire health sector, including public health, has a vital role to play in addressing the issues. There are many co-benefits to be gained in health by addressing climate change and the ecological emergency. The Faculty of Public Health is uniquely well placed to lead policy discussion and formulation in this area and the Climate & Health Committee provides the lead within the Faculty, linking with the Board, other Faculty committees, special interest groups and external bodies.

Upcoming climate and health events

Climate and Health Conference - Adapting to a warmer world

The C&H Committee and Sustainable Development SIG are co-hosting the FPH C&H conference on the 21st of June 2023. The topic of this year's conference is “Adapting to a warming world”. The programme is still under development but details and a link to register will be shared in the next bulletin. In keeping with the principle of minimising the carbon footprint of the conference, it will be held online.

Abstract submission is open from the 1st of March until the 30th of April. The link to submit abstracts is available on the SIG and C&HC webpages. Abstracts can be on any topic related to sustainability, C&H or environmental health. However, abstracts reporting case studies and on the topic of adaptation will be preferentially selected. Results of shortlisting and details about presentation will be sent to corresponding authors in May.

For more climate and health events, see the FPH events page here.

Climate and health strategy

In December 2021 the Faculty launched its climate and health strategy, setting out what we plan to do in relation to change and sustainability. This strategy was reviewed at the end of 2022. We have now produced a workplan and are asking the Faculty membership to support us in the delivery of this ambitious plan. If you would like to get involved in the delivery of the strategy please email georgiaharris@fph.org.uk. 

Key areas of the strategy

Committee aims and objectives
  • To lead FPH’s sustainability, climate change and ecological emergencies policies
  • To embed sustainability, and climate change and biodiversity in all FPH policy developments
  • To promote best practice in sustainability, climate change and biodiversity work across the Faculty and to and through its membership
  • To promote sustainability, climate change and biodiversity across the curriculum for specialist Trainees
  • To increase the Faculty’s profile in sustainability, climate change and biodiversity work
  • To advise on the Faculty’s ethical investment policy and the transition to carbon neutrality by 2030
Governance

The Climate & Health Committee seeks to support the FPH President, Officers, Board and staff in  advising on matters relating to existing FPH’s sustainability, climate change and biodiversity policies and practices, as well as proposing revisions, amendments and additions to these policies and practices.

The Climate & Health Committee provides guidance and support to the FPH Board and other committees to ensure sustainability, climate change and biodiversity is embedded in all aspects of the work being undertaken by the Faculty.

The Climate & Health Committee meets a minimum of three times a year for face-to-face meetings, with an opportunity for teleconferences between meetings to ensure the work programme is being delivered as per an agreed schedule. The committee reports to the Advocacy and Policy Committee.

Group membership

Membership consists of a Chair and stakeholders to include the following:

  • FPH Board representative
  • FPH Members and Fellows
  • Sustainable Development Special Interest Group (SIG) representative(s)
  • Specialty Registrars
  • External representatives
  • FPH staff representative(s)

Committee representation also incorporates members from the devolved nations of the UK and includes members with appropriate knowledge in sustainability and climate change policy. The Sustainable Development SIG works with the committee chair to agree the membership and terms of reference for the committee.

Scope

Following the launch of the climate and health strategy in December 2021, the Climate & Health Committee will develop a work plan for the Faculty and work with relevant FPH committees to implement these actions. The work of the Committee must comply with all FPH policies.

Faculty of Public Health sign-off process

For consultation responses and endorsement requests

Partnerships

The Committee will work in partnership with other public health organisations. The intention will be to co-create work undertaken by the committee with members of the faculty, including SIGs and committees and with other partners, as appropriate.

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

The following SIGs report to the Climate and health Committee:

Sustainable Development SIG

The Committee will build on the excellent work that has already been undertaken by the SD SIG. The SD SIG will act as an advisory group and sounding board for the Committee, as the SIG’s membership comprises those from the FPH interested in sustainability and climate change and with some co-optees. The Committee and SIG chairs will collaborate to co-ordinate the work of the network and the Committee to maximise their impact.

For more details on the Sustainable Development Special Interest Group, including CPD resources on sustainable development and climate change, click here.

Transport SIG

This SIG works to promote a vision of a Transport system that functions to improve health and reduce health inequalities. You can read more about the Transport SIG's objectives on their webpage here. 

Contact

Committee chair - Paul Johnstone

Vice-chair - Eleanor Roaf

Email address - georgiaharris@fph.org.uk

 

 

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