Scotland’s Climate Week is an opportunity to celebrate and encourage climate action, and learn more about what we can all do to help.
The climate and ecological emergency is a health emergency – so by taking action to help tackle climate change, we can also help improve people’s health and wellbeing.
We all have a part to play – whatever our role. And we’re all in it together. We are over 180,000 strong – so what we do can make a real difference.
From recycling to active travel, from energy use to our supply chain, from prescribing to our greenspaces – there are many ways we can make a change.
This #ScotClimateWeek, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the work happening across Scotland to make our NHS more sustainable – and the people behind this work.
We caught up with Emily Farquhar, Senior Project Officer (Active Travel). Emily works in the NHSScotland Assure team, which is part of NHS National Services Scotland. She also works for Sustrans Scotland.
What does taking climate action mean to you?
It means actively contributing to reducing emissions through my personal choices. For example, I choose to walk or cycle for most of my local journeys instead of taking the car.
I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my physical and mental health since I made this change, I’ve saved a lot of money and it was much easier to integrate into my lifestyle than I anticipated.
Taking climate action also means taking any opportunities I get to influence broader systemic change.
So, as a sustainability professional, I use my knowledge and position to advocate for policies and initiatives that support climate action across NHSScotland.
Can you tell us a bit about your role, and how the work of your team is helping to make NHSScotland more sustainable?
My role is to provide subject matter expertise to ensure health boards have appropriate support to deliver the active travel objectives set out within the NHS Scotland Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy.
The Climate Change, Sustainability and Environment team I work in within NHSScotland Assure is part of the NHSScotland Sustainability Action Programme, and sustainable transport is just one of the many areas we’re working on to help make NHSScotland more sustainable.
How can people get involved?
Anyone can enjoy the benefits of active travel and I’d urge everyone to give it a go.
My top tip is to start slow if you’re feeling a bit unsure about integrating more walking or cycling into your lifestyle; it doesn’t have to be all or nothing!
Try swapping one journey each week at first.