Ambition With Uncertainty: Exploring Policy-Makers' Perspectives on Pathways to Net Zero Healthcare.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Over 80 countries have now signed up to the COP26 Health Programme-a World Health Organization (WHO)-led initiative on climate change and health-of which 45 countries have committed to reaching net zero emissions before 2050. Efforts to reduce healthcare's carbon footprint raise conceptual, ethical and practical challenges for efficient and fair resource allocation. This study investigates how civil servants leading the development and implementation of national net zero healthcare strategies conceptualise the responsibility of health systems to cut emissions and describe potential trade-offs along the way.

Methods

We undertook 11 online, semi-structured qualitative research interviews between September 2022 - May 2023 with civil servants leading national n

SUBMITTER: Bhopal A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11845860 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature