RPS declares a climate and ecological emergency

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has said it “recognises the scale and importance of the climate and ecological emergency”, describing it as “the most significant health threat that modern society has ever faced”.

The statement was made as part of the RPS’s declaration of climate and ecological emergency, published on 1 September 2021.

In the statement, the Society says it will commit to leading the pharmacy profession by embedding sustainability considerations in its future policies, working practices and decision-making, as well as looking at how pharmacy practice can develop to limit the risks of climate change and ecological harm.

It notes that “pharmacists and the pharmacy team have a clear role to play in combating climate change” and that medicines “are responsible for 25% of the NHS’s carbon emissions”.

The statement adds: “As individual practitioners, and collectively as a profession, we have an opportunity to offer clear leadership in this area.”

As an organisation, the Society is also committing to applying environmental, social and corporate governance principles to its investment and procurement policies; maintaining its zero-to-landfill status as an organisation; and building on its sustainable approach to running its buildings in England, Scotland and Wales.

Claire Anderson, president of the RPS, said: “The RPS declaration is leading the way for pharmacy and demonstrates our commitment to change.

“It’s more important than ever that we turn words into action and become more sustainable, and this applies to everyone. As individual practitioners, and collectively as a profession, we must identify where we can make changes in our practice to reduce carbon emissions.”