Dr Robin Stott FRCP FFPH

Health professionals in actions to mitigate climate change

As Chair of the Climate and Health Council, I am committed to engaging health professionals in actions to mitigate climate change. In this context, reducing the need to travel, whether by car, train or aeroplane, is essential. However the need to communicate effectively with, and learn from, colleagues is essential to the practice of good medicine. Telephone and video conferencing are excellent ways of effective carbon free communication. As well as reducing carbon emissions, electronic communication frees time for other activities, saves money, and so benefits the economic, environmental and social pillars of sustainability.

For these reasons, the Climate and Health Council is working with BT to facilitate the uptake of audio, web and video conferencing within the health sector. Working together, we look forward to greatly increasing the use of electronic communication, and so contributing to the 15% reduction in carbon emissions to which the Health Service is committed.

Robin Stott FRCP FFPH
Chair - Climate and Health Council - part of the BMJ