The Green Surgery Challenge 2021 is an opportunity for the UK’s surgical community to recognise the value of sustainable healthcare for surgical conditions: to share and promote ways of practising that are less harmful to the environment and our planet and build social sustainability: to continue to transform surgery for the future.
What is the problem in surgery?
Climate change is having far reaching consequences for planetary health, including within the UK, and is accepted as one of the greatest threats to the health of global populations. In addition, the integrity of our environment is threatened by air pollution, plastic overuse, chemical pollution, water scarcity, soil degradation, deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
Whilst healthcare organisations work to improve the health of populations, their day to day activities are contributing to climate change and to the impoverishment of the environment. The NHS is responsible for over one third of total public sector carbon emissions. Operating theatres contribute towards this, with energy requirements four to six times that of other hospital areas and as significant users of medical equipment and supplies.
