The GPs who are going green: “Human health is simply not possible without a healthy planet”

A new toolkit offers medics a range of solutions to support planetary health and promote sustainability in general practices. We speak to three doctors leading the way 

Pic: iStock

IRELAND’S GPs are going green. The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is launching GLAS today, a new toolkit that provides GPs with recommendations for reducing the carbon footprint of their clinics.

Co Louth GP Dr Seán Owens is the ICGP Sustainability Working Group chair that produced the toolkit. “Our group was formed in 2020 to raise awareness among GPs, practice nurses, and staff of the need to consider the environment and the future sustainability of healthcare delivery to patients,” he says. “GPs and nurses can’t green Ireland on their own, but we can be part of the solution. We believe this toolkit allows us to lead the way to a healthy and more sustainable future.”