Integrating climate and health: A national survey of medical societies' actions and barriers

Introduction

A growing number of clinicians and clinical leaders are acknowledging the impacts of rising carbon emissions and committing their organizations to decreasing their carbon footprint. In 2016, the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health (MSCCH) leveraged its national power and rallied major medical societies to take a stance on climate-related issues. This study assesses the extent to which medical societies within MSCCH are addressing climate change through emissions reduction efforts, research, education and policy and other programming required to reduce their carbon footprint.

Materials

A ten-question survey study was reviewed and approved by the MSCCH in 2022. The survey was disseminated to all thirty of the MSCCH’s member societies between 2022 and 2023. Twenty-two member societies responded. We measured the proportion of societies implementing initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and improve education/advocacy on climate topics and summarized self-reported society-level barriers in achieving reductions in carbon emissions.

Results

Sixteen societies (73%) enacted measures to reduce carbon emissions. Four societies (18%) pledged to reduce their carbon emissions to varying degrees; only two had a strategic plan for achieving these goals (1%). Nineteen societies (86%) implemented measures to improve education and advocacy around climate change. The most common barriers to climate-conscious advocacy were a lack of staff time and lack of funding.

Conclusions

This work highlights the pivotal role medical societies play in operationalizing the integration of climate and health policy. Policymakers and other relevant parities must promote investment and regulatory action, education and research supporting decarbonization.