Sustainability & Planetary Health

Planetary health is a new field that focuses on the human health impacts of global environmental change.

"As family doctors we are in a unique position to promote knowledge about planetary health and behaviour changes, which can improve both individual health and planetary health." - WONCA, Planetary Health 2018.

The College is engaging and advocating for sustainability and planetary health in Irish general practice. College has lobbyed for planetary health action. 

ICGP Sustainability Working Group

• What GPs can do, prescribing & patient care: Planetary Health Infographic (PDF, 1.13MB)
• What can GPs do to help the environment and run sustainable practices? Listen to GP Works Podcast interview with Dr Sean Owens
• Planetary Health Blog Series - December 2020
• The overview effect - our biosphere and COVID-19 - Blog by Dr Sean Owens
• What is planetary health and why is it important to Irish General Practice - Blog by Dr Sean Owens
• Planetary Health in Irish General Practice: An Exercise Of Mass Mindfulness - Blog by Dr Sean Owens
• 2020: Year of the Squirrel? - Blog by Dr Sean Owens
• ICGP Response to the Preparedness for Climate Change in the Health Sector Public Consultation (PDF, 913KB)
• Easter 2020: Lessons in a Pandemic –Blog by Dr John Allman

Green Prescribing

• Inhalers and Carbon Footprint Toolkit

International Resources

• WONCA Declaration on Planetary Health 2019 (PDF, 3MB)
• Lancet Planetary Health Infographic (PDF, 1.6MB)
• Follow Doctors for Climate on Twitter
• Climate and Health Alliance