Environmental Sustainability
°µÍøTV is committed to embedding environmental sustainability across all aspects of our operations, education, and advocacy. Contact Us
Coming soon
- O&G Sustainability Audit Tool
- Environmental Sustainability Policy
- Patient and clinician resources
Key priorities
Environmental and sustainability advocacy within the O&G profession.
Introduce environmental sustainability into the Continuing Professional Development of members and trainees.
Provide environmental sustainability input into the training curriculum.
Development of resources for practitioners and pregnant patients about the known impacts of climate change on health.
Embed sustainability initiatives within College operations.
Support RANZCOG in becoming carbon neutral.
Statements and advocacy
| Title | Category | Description | Link | hf:doc_categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate Change and Health Multi-College Advisory Committee | Joint Initiative | °µÍøTV is a member of RACP’s Climate Change and Health Multi-College Advisory Committee which provides a forum for engagement and collaboration of medical colleges on climate change and health policy and advocacy. Dr Kristine Barnden (Deputy Chair of EnSC) participates. | joint-initiative eswg-statements | |
| Prolonged Exposure to Bushfire Smoke and Poor Air Quality | °µÍøTV Statement | °µÍøTV noted and supported the advice of Federal, State and Territory Medical Officers, reiterating that prolonged exposure to bushfire smoke and poor air quality can have adverse pregnancy outcomes. (Jan 2020) | ranzcog-statement eswg-statements | |
| Clean Energy by 2030 | Joint Statement | °µÍøTV joined with other medical colleges in calling for clean energy by 2030 to protect health. (June 2022) | joint-statement eswg-statements | |
| Call for Meaningful Action on Climate Change | Joint Statement | °µÍøTV signs open letter alongside other medical colleges, calling for meaningful action on climate change. (Sept 2021) | joint-statement eswg-statements | |
| Reusable Surgical Gowns Position Statement (RACS) | Endorsed Statement | °µÍøTV has endorsed RACS position statement on reusable sterile surgical gowns, stating they are safe, effective, and have a lower environmental impact than disposable gowns.(Nov 2023) | endorsed-statement eswg-statements | |
| Healthy Climate Future | Joint Initiative | °µÍøTV is part of 13 medical colleges and eleven specialty societies that are partners in the Healthy Climate Future Campaign | joint-initiative eswg-statements | |
| Climate Change and Australia’s Healthcare Systems – A Review of Literature, Policy and Practice (RACP) | Endorsed Report | °µÍøTV contributed to, and endorsed RACP’s commissioned research report on climate change and Australia’s healthcare systems. (Mar 2021) | endorsed-report eswg-statements | |
| °µÍøTV Statement on Climate Change | °µÍøTV Statement | °µÍøTV calls for urgent, coordinated and sustained action from governments, health departments, hospitals, academic institutions and individual clinicians, to reduce the environmental impact of the healthcare sector. (May 2025) | ranzcog-statement eswg-statements | |
| °µÍøTV Defends Maternal and Fetal Health | °µÍøTV Statement | °µÍøTV advocates for the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill 2023. (Feb 2024) | ranzcog-statement eswg-statements | |
| Climate Change and Health | Joint Statement | °µÍøTV endorses joint statement, representing a shared commitment to address the health impacts of climate change. (Oct 2024) | joint-statement eswg-statements | |
| Climate Action | Joint Statement | °µÍøTV has signed a joint statement with eight other specialist medical colleges, urging climate action to protect the healthcare system. (April 2025) | joint-statement eswg-statements |
Resources
Air Pollution and Pregnancy Pamphlet
This patient information pamphlet developed by RANZCOG provides information regarding air pollution exposure during pregnancy, including health impacts and prevention.
Healthy Investing (O&G Magazine)
EnSC member Dr Michelle Van gives an overview of the connections between climate change and women’s health and goes on to discuss an effective action that any of us can take: healthy investing.
Staying Safe This Summer (O&G Magazine)
As the summers in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand become hotter, and extreme weather events more common, this article outlines pregnancy risks from extreme heat and bushfires and practical care in how they can be reduced.
Sustainability Edition (O&G Magazine)
In this edition, we look at how women’s health and sustainability are inextricably linked and how climate change impacts the health of women and babies worldwide.