Most doctors feel it is important the NHS reaches its goal of net zero by 2040-45 but they are not sure it is possible, according to a recent BMA survey.

The majority of more than 200 self-selecting survey respondents want to help make healthcare more sustainable – and many are proactively involved in doing so. Yet, lack of resource, coordination or leadership can leave some feeling deeply frustrated.

Despite 82 per cent responding that they believe doctors should have a role in helping the NHS to achieve net zero, 56 per cent report having only a little influence on sustainability practices in their workplaces. Almost a third (29 per cent) say they have none.

Doctors working in hospitals report even lower levels of influence, with more than a third saying they have no influence at all.

More than half of the doctors responding to the BMA survey had suggested a sustainability initiative in their workplaces but less than a quarter had made suggestions which were acted on. Doctors working in primary care were significantly more likely to see a change they had suggested being implemented.

Despite these challenges, the survey highlighted a wide variety of successful sustainability projects in primary and secondary care, from digitisation to de-prescribing to reducing the use of anaesthetic gases and metered dose inhalers, which cause potent gasses to be expelled into the atmosphere and contribute significantly to the NHS carbon footprint. It also suggested many doctors are doing this work on their own initiative and in their own time.

Yet, in spite of high levels of enthusiasm for reaching net zero and a more environmentally sustainable health service, only a minority of doctors believe this is achievable in the timeframes the NHS has set. This is despite a recent update from NHS England, which suggests the health service is actually on track to meet its interim goals. This disconnect highlights how more should be done to improve communication with doctors on sustainability practices and engage them in efforts to achieve net zero.   

For doctors, barriers to reaching a more sustainable workplace include not having enough time to get involved in initiatives, the level of financial investment that would be needed and the scale of system changes required. A similar call for more financial support was made by previous research by the BMA.

Doctors also reported relying heavily on single-use equipment in their workplaces, especially those working in hospitals. While 80 per cent supported a move to reusable equipment in theory, this again presents challenges. These included the upfront cost of reusable alternatives, the level of engagement from management and the lack of systems in place (such as sterilisation facilities) to support this change.

BMA president John Chisholm said: ‘Our survey clearly showed real commitment and real enthusiasm among many doctors for helping the NHS reach net zero and reduce its reliance on single-use plastics.

‘But it’s also clear that many receive little support or encouragement for this work and, especially in secondary care, there’s a lack of joined-up thinking or coordination. Doctors are clearly frustrated with the slow pace of change and the reluctance in some quarters to embrace or support innovation. This needs to change if the NHS is to meet its sustainability targets.'

Read more from doctors who are helping to make healthcare more sustainable.

The BMA has contributed to the 2025 UK policy brief for the Lancet Countdown setting out priorities for health and climate in the UK.