Climate Change & Sustainability
BSG Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy
The impact of climate change and sustainability on health and healthcare provision is of concern to our members, as it is to our patients and the wider population. Many of our members are already involved in projects to address these issues. Globally, climate change has major adverse effects on gastrointestinal and liver health, and the ability to deliver effective healthcare. Environmental sustainability of healthcare provision causes concerns including emissions, lack of recycling, use of non-recyclable plastics, and unnecessary travel for patients. The NHS net zero ambitions are world-leading, and the BSG and its members have an opportunity to contribute to these aims. We also have an opportunity to collaborate with other national and international partners. The issues around sustainability are complex, and research opportunities exist. The BSG Executive is committed to developing a strategy on climate change and sustainability, and has commissioned this working group. Andy Veitch, BSG President, on behalf of the BSG working group on climate change and sustainability If you have any sustainability-related queries, please email sustainability@bsg.org.uk.
Sustainability in Gastroenterology
Prof Andrew Veitch, BSG President, interviews Dr Sandeep Siddhi, BSG Sustainability Lead, on Sustainability
Latest Publications and Resources
Green endoscopy: practical implementation
Display this poster somewhere prominent in your unit as a reminder of “small wins” to make your hospital greener.
World Gastroenterology Organisation – Gut Commentary Series on Digestive Health and Climate Change
This compendium of nine commentaries, each summarising one, or a hybrid, of nine educational webinars is organised by the WGO. The webinars covered the why, what and how in terms of climate change (CC) as related to digestive health hazards, disease implications and actionable interventions.
UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC)
Founded in 2016, UKHACC seeks to empower the health profession to advocate for better responses to climate change, to engage decision makers to strengthen relevant policies and to raise awareness of the links between health and climate change.
As well as highlighting how climate change undermines the foundations of health in the UK and worldwide – threatening clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter – UKHACC also points out that actions that protect our planet, such as phasing out polluting vehicles and encouraging more walking and cycling, are also good for our health.
Sustainability Education Resources
BSG'21: Climate Change, Sustainability, and Liver Disease
The below video is a presentation by Dr Mhairi Donnelly, a Consultant Hepatologist at NHS Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals, on “Climate Change, Sustainability, and Liver Disease”.
BSG'21: Green Endoscopy
The below video is a presentation by Dr Bu’Hussain Hayee, a Consultant at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, on “Green Endoscopy”.
SSG Digest This! Green Endoscopy
In this episode of Digest This! Dr Jennifer Tham interviews Dr S Siddhi and Dr R Haddock on the topic of Green Endoscopy.