Thank you to the three participating colleges—RCPI, ICGP and CAI—for taking part in the first iteration of Ireland’s Climate and Health Scorecard. Across all three, there is significant progress to build on in advancing sustainability.

 

Ireland’s relatively small size offers a unique opportunity to drive change quickly and learn from one another. We hope these scorecards inspire the participating colleges and other organisations to strengthen their efforts further.

 

This initiative is endorsed by Irish Doctors for the Environment and was introduced to Ireland in collaboration with the HSE Climate and Sustainability Programme.

 

Shared Opportunities and Recommended Priorities

The assessment identified common gaps and opportunities for collective action across all three colleges:

 

• Decarbonisation and energy: Develop emissions measurement and net-zero plans, report progress, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

• Sustainable transport: Reduce short-haul flights, incentivise public and active transport, and promote lower-carbon travel.

• Sustainable food and procurement: Promote more plant-based and sustainable food choices, reduce single-use plastics, and strengthen ethical and environmentally responsible procurement policies.

• Finance and member engagement: Increase transparency around investments and pensions, support climate-aligned finance, and mobilise members to make sustainable financial choices.

• Education, research and quality improvement: Embed sustainability into training, research and quality improvement, equipping staff to address the links between climate, nature and health.

• Advocacy and community engagement: Strengthen climate advocacy, engage communities disproportionately affected by climate change, and champion climate justice through public commitments and policy engagement.