In March 2019 the AMA called on the Australian Government to take action to facilitate environmental sustainability in health care.

“The AMA believes that achieving environmental sustainability in health care is essential to improving the way Australia’s health system functions. Enhancing environmental sustainability, through reducing carbon emissions, curtailing waste, and managing resources efficiently, will deliver better outcomes for patients, and provide broader social and economic benefits”

The AMA therefore calls on the Australian Government to take action to facilitate environmental sustainability in health care. It also encourages medical practitioners to lead efforts towards more environmentally sustainable behaviour in healthcare facilities. Improving environmental sustainability in health care will reduce the environmental impact of the sector, ensure that the health system is better equipped to support the health of Australians into the future, and reduce the associated health impacts of poor environmental outcomes such as climate change. Achieving this in Australia will require increased coordination at a national level, clear and accountable targets for reducing the sector’s environmental footprint, and a commitment to behavioural change within health and medical professions.