Momentum starting to build in climate space

In November RACS became the first medical college in Australia to sign up to the newly released Green College Guidelines (bit.ly/3Gi1Pem). The guidelines have been developed in collaboration with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA). They provide guidance to medical colleges on how they can reduce the carbon emissions of their organisation by incorporating practical changes to the way they operate. Sixty three recommended actions are outlined in the guidelines. These actions cover several aspects of RACS core operations, and are aimed at College staff and facilities, including broader initiatives to improve the environmental sustainability of surgery, mainly through education and training activities. RACS has already completed many of the identified actions in the guidelines, and there are many more that we will be able to achieve over the next 12 months. There are other actions that are a little more complex and I am confident we will be able to complete these. But they have to be longer term priorities for the RACS Environmental Sustainability in Surgical Practice Working Party (ESSPWP). I would like to congratulate the AMA and DEA for their leadership and commend the guidelines for laying the groundwork for how medical organisations can collectively embed more sustainable practices. The College had earlier called for greater action on climate change at a government level, and for us to be able to advocate with credibility it is important that as an organisation we have our own house in order. These guidelines will certainly assist us with this, and I am looking forward to working with the various areas of the College to ensure we meet our commitments.

In other news, I was delighted by the announcement in the October federal budget of the funding for a National Health and Sustainability Climate Unit, and also the development of a National Health and Climate Strategy. This is something that the College has advocated for individually and also collectively with other Colleges and likeminded organisations. We expect that consultation on the strategy will take place in early 2023 and will be one of the key priority areas for the ESSPWP to contribute towards. There are also plenty of policy activities taking place in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) and at a state and territory level in Australia. Many governments have already acted or signalled their intention to strengthen their policy and legislative frameworks. The ESSPWP looks forward to working closely with our state and territory and AoNZ colleagues and supporting them in their advocacy efforts. On a final note, for those interested in following the progress of the ESSPWP and RACS environmental advocacy, we recently launched an environmental webpage on the College website. The website will continually be updated with updates, information, and research. I will also endeavour to keep you informed on the latest developments in future issues of Surgical News. I know that many of our Fellows, Trainees and SIMGs are passionate about environmental sustainability. If you would like to find out more or become involved, I encourage you to please email the RACS Policy and Advocacy team.

Emeritus Professor David Fletcher