Doctors criticise strategy’s fossil fuel omission

The Australian Government should do more to quit fossil fuels altogether if it is serious about addressing the impact of climate change on people’s health, GPs have said.
 
The Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) welcomed the launch of Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy this week as ‘an important step forward in protecting the health of Australians from the extreme health threat’.
 
However, DEA executive director and GP Dr Kate Wylie said more needs to be done.
 
‘Coal, gas and oil are the primary drivers of global heating and climate change, the greatest health threats facing humanity,’ she said.
 
‘Yet, Australia has approved new coal mines with an additional 110 more gas and coal mines in the pipeline.
 
‘We are also one of the world’s biggest fossil fuel exporters.
 
‘The Australian Government must stop its two-faced approach to climate action and phase out fossil fuels if it’s serious about protecting lives.’
 
Launching the strategy, Federal Health and Aged Care Assistant Minister Ged Kearney said it will guide the development of a plan to decarbonise the Australian health system. 
 
She said the strategy commits to publishing emissions estimates for the health system, including aged care, along with updates on progress to reduce them.
 
According to the Assistant Minister, the Federal Government will also work with states to establish a National Heat-Health Action Plan, and with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to promote the benefits of climate-resilient housing and affordable renewable energy.
 
‘A key objective of this National Strategy is to adopt a “health in all policies” approach, promoting the benefits of emissions reductions across society and adaptation action beyond the health system,’ she said.
 
Dr Wylie, who is also the previous Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine, said that aspect of the strategy currently falls short.
 
‘This strategy adopts a health in all policies approach, recognising the interconnectedness between the health of humans, animals and the environment,’ she said.
 
‘To truly realise this vision, we must stop making the problem worse. We must quit coal and gas for the health of people and planet.’
 
Doctors attending the WONCA World Conference in Sydney last month also made a plea to governments around the world to do more to cut emissions in a stance taken just ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28).
 
The current Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine, Dr Catherine Pendrey, outlined a call for fossil fuels to be phased out, and more investment to be made in renewables.
 
‘From the Black Summer bushfires to the Lismore floods, general practitioners and family doctors are on the front line of supporting their communities from climate change and its health impacts,’ she told reporters at the time.
 
In its submission for the National Health and Climate Strategy, the RACGP identified medicines, waste, and prevention and optimising models of care as ‘key mitigation areas in general practice’.
 
It called for more resources for prescribers on the environmental impact of different drug treatments, as well as the development of guidance for clinicians across the health system on how to avoid low value interventions.
 
A guide to sustainable healthcare is available on the Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) website.
 
The RACGP has also published guidance on sustainability in general practice on its website.
 
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fossil fuel National Health and Climate Strategy