Leading for Sustainability in BLMK – a burning ambition for change

It’s time to act…

Dr Makarem is supported by Vineeta Manchanda, Non-Executive Member for the ICB and Chair of the Audit Committee who has sponsored the seminar. Vineeta told delegates that the NHS contributes almost 6% of the UK’s carbon emissions and two thirds of this come from the NHS supply chain.

She explained that there are opportunities to be had, and 6,700 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions had already been reduced through changing the types of anaesthetic gases and inhalers we use.

She called on partners in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to play their part in tackling the impact we have on climate and calls on leaders to work together to refresh the Green Plan in BLMK to make a real and lasting difference.

The case for change…

Questions from the floor prompted Dr Tim Simmance to reflect on the reasons why we need to tackle the climate emergency. He talked about the social and moral obligations but told the conference about the link to health and how supporting a thriving environment is key to preventing disease.

Every one-thousand tonne of carbon dioxide emitted to our environment is estimated to cause one death. If that’s not enough of a reason to act, then what is, he asked?

A sobering thought which led to a conversation about the impact of climate change.

Sian Pither, Sustainability and Growth Programme Manager for the ICB joined Dr Simmance on stage to talk about some of the specific impacts of the environment on health.

With plastics already being found in the food chain, more children experiencing asthma, and babies being born to breathe polluted air, she explained that there is a proven link to health and environment which will result in generations to come experiencing the impact of the climate emergency.

Passing the baton…

Joining the roundtable conversations were members of the Youth Council from Bedford Borough, Luton and Milton Keynes. The young people all shared an interest in the environment and were keen participants, challenging delegates and calling for action on net zero carbon policies.

This is not the end, today is just the beginning…

After rousing applause for the young people, Vineeta Manchanda addressed delegates, calling on partners to heed the advice of the youth councillors and look to their organisations to implement the green plan.

She celebrated the simplicity of action outlined by the youth councillors, reflecting how organisations talk about “left shift” and our communities refer to community engagement and action.

In closing Vineeta encouraged the young people to keep challenging organisations and holding them to account because today marks the beginning of change in health and the environment in BLMK.

The Leading for Sustainability webinar was a great coming together of youth councillors, partners and local people – focused on improving the health and wellbeing of local people, by introducing policies to tackle the impact of climate change.