The NHS should urgently introduce measures to reduce its energy consumption and emission of greenhouse gases, recommends a report published this week by the BMA. This includes reducing the amount of travel by patients and staff and making greater use of electronic communication, the report says. It warns that the NHS currently produces emissions equivalent to about a million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and accounts for 5% of all road transport emissions in the United Kingdom.

The report reviews the potential effects on health of climate change and makes a range of recommendations on measures that the NHS and health professionals can take to reduce the …