Green leaders rally for groundbreaking local summit

Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Environment and Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern, Dr Tim Simmance and local clinicians will headline a dynamic health and environment summit in November, with leaders from across the region uniting to shape local plans.

Led by Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, the ‘Leading for a Sustainable Health and Care System’ event on 15 November will give local leaders the opportunity to hear from prominent speakers and develop a green plan for the region, boosting health and wellbeing for communities, delivering net zero services and putting the NHS on a more sustainable footing.

Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin, will provide the keynote address at the conference. Alastair has been a champion for environmental issues throughout his career, notably through his involvement with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Environment.

He has been vocal about the need for robust climate policies and has engaged with various stakeholders to promote sustainable practices.

In his previous role with the Bank of England, Mr Strathern focused on the intersection of finance and sustainability, advocating for policies that encourage green investments and address climate-related financial risks. His work emphasises the importance of integrating environmental considerations into economic planning and decision-making.

Dr Tim Simmance, associate director of sustainability and growth at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, is known for his expertise in health and environmental sciences, focusing on the intersections between public health, sustainability and policy. His work often underlines the importance of creating health systems that are resilient and environmentally friendly.

In recent years, he has been involved in initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices within healthcare, including efforts to achieve net-zero emissions in health services. Dr Simmance frequently engages with communities and policymakers to advocate for changes that benefit both public health and the environment.

Dr Simmance said:

“There are significant links between climate change, health and healthcare that we must address if we’re to help people live longer lives in good health and deliver the services they need in the future.

“I am delighted to bring together some of the greatest thinkers in environmental health to our area, so we can consider how we can embed environmental sustainability in our work. 

“There are many challenges that lie ahead and refreshing our Green Plan and taking action to deliver a net zero future will benefit everyone.” The ‘Leading for a Sustainable Health and Care System’ event will bring together NHS organisations, local councils, representatives from the Youth Parliament and representatives from the voluntary, faith, community and social enterprise sectors.