CEO Message - 1 October 2024
Historic commitment in health to reduce carbon footprint
On behalf of the Commission, I'm delighted to announce that we have signed an historic Joint Statement to reduce the health system’s carbon emissions.
This shared commitment is an Australian first with the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control (interim CDC), the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) representing all medical colleges, and the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA).
The Joint Statement: Working together to achieve sustainable high-quality health care in a changing climate recognises that climate change poses profound and urgent challenges to physical and mental health.
The health system contributes around 5% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, with clinical care contributing more than half of these emissions.
Joint Statement: A shared commitment
The Joint Statement outlines how the health system can reduce its own environmental impact by delivering appropriate and sustainable health care.
The Commission, the interim CDC, all medical colleges and AIDA have agreed to work together to:
- Develop low-emissions models of care that prioritise prevention, reduce low-value tests and treatments and minimise emissions from high-value care
- Mobilise and support the health workforce to lead the health system response to climate change.
The Commission is a keen advocate of the sector taking action to address the environmental impact of the health system.
This shared commitment will enable us to work together to achieve a more sustainable health system for the people of Australia.
Yours sincerely,
Conjoint Professor Anne Duggan
Chief Executive Officer
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