Have you heard about the Green Nursing Challenge 2025?

The Green Nursing Challenge 2025 is an initiative designed to inspire nurses to adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily work to help the NHS achieve its target of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050

The Green Nursing Challenge 2025 is an initiative designed to encourage nurses to take a proactive role in promoting sustainability in healthcare, particularly within the NHS. The aim is to inspire nurses to adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily work to help the NHS achieve its ambitious target of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

What is the Green Nursing Challenge 2025?

This challenge is part of a broader movement to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare systems, particularly in the UK. As one of the largest organizations worldwide, the NHS has a significant carbon footprint. From the energy consumed in hospitals to the waste generated through medical procedures, the NHS must reduce its environmental impact to meet the country climate targets. Nurses, as key players in the healthcare system, have a crucial role to play in achieving these sustainability goals.

How does it relate to the NHS?

The NHS has set a target to reach Net Zero by 2050, meaning it plans to balance its carbon emissions by reducing or cutting them through measures like using renewable energy or planting trees. Achieving this goal requires the involvement from all NHS staff, including nurses. Nurses make up a large part of the NHS workforce and have daily interactions with patients and colleagues.

Nurses are in a unique position to influence sustainability efforts and make an impact. The Green Nursing Challenge provides the resources, training, and support needed to implement sustainable practices while encouraging nurses to advocate for environmentally friendly initiatives within their hospitals and communities.

What does the challenge involve for Nurses?

For nurses who are new to the green challenge, the focus is on practical, achievable steps.

Here are some examples:

1. Reducing Waste: Nurses can reduce waste by choosing reusable equipment, recycling medical materials properly, and reducing single-use plastics, which are a major contributor to waste in healthcare.

2. Energy Conservation: Nurses are encouraged to consider how energy is used in healthcare settings. Simple actions like turning off lights when they are not needed, adjusting room temperatures, or promoting energy-efficient systems can help to reduce the NHS's carbon emissions.

3. Sustainable Sourcing: Nurses can ensure the products and medications used in their practice are sourced sustainably. This might involve using eco-friendly cleaning products or supporting suppliers with sustainable practices.

4. Patient Education: Nurses can educate patients about the impact of environmental factors, such as how pollution worsens respiratory conditions. Nurses can also guide patients in making eco-friendly choices that benefit both their health and the environment, such as reducing plastic use or eating fewer processed foods.

5. Advocating for Policy Change: Nurses can advocate for green policies in their healthcare institutions, helping shape initiatives that promote a more sustainable NHS.

Why does this matter?

The Green Nursing Challenge 2025 is crucial because it recognizes that climate change directly affects health. Nurses are already aware of how environmental factors like pollution, natural disasters, and the spread of diseases impact patient health. This initiative provides nurses with the tools to address these challenges in their practice while contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Supporting the Green Nursing Challenge allows both the NHS and nurses to take concrete steps toward protecting the environment and ensuring the health of future generations. Sustainable healthcare is no longer optional, it’s essential for the well-being of people and the planet.