The Royal College of Physicians’ Survey on Climate and Health: A Call to Action

As summer temperatures soared across the UK in June 2025, a group of physicians gathered in a shade-dappled park, exchanging thoughts not just on patient care but on what lay ahead. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) had just released a survey revealing a worrying disconnect between their medical training and the escalating climate crisis, aimed at highlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices in healthcare. The dire statistics revealed by the RCP could not be ignored: three-quarters of physicians expressed significant concern over how climate change might impact their patients’ health.

Climate Concerns Take Center Stage

The RCP’s snapshot survey, conducted from June 2 to June 14, 2025, collected insights from 490 UK physicians. Among the most striking findings, 75% of respondents voiced concern about climate change’s impacts on patient health. Dr. Sarah Jennings, a physician and climate health advocate, stated, “The overwhelming majority of us recognize that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a profound public health emergency.” Yet, despite this awareness, the data revealed areas where many practitioners felt unprepared to act.

Sustainability in Clinical Practice

• Growing Concern Among Physicians: 69% reported being very or somewhat concerned about the environmental impact of their clinical practice.
• Sustainability in Decision-Making: 61% claimed to consider environmental factors when making clinical decisions, highlighting a shift towards greener practices.
• Barriers to Implementation: Many physicians cited lack of knowledge, training, and organizational support as obstacles to integrating sustainable practices into their routines.
• Action Steps Taken: Some progressive practices emerged, with 67% switching from IV to oral antibiotics at the first opportunity and 65% offering remote consultations where feasible.

Despite these commendable actions, challenges remain palpable. “We are motivated, but many physicians feel trapped by systemic constraints,” noted Dr. Tom Edwards, a public health researcher. “Time and resources are often insufficient for integrating sustainability into patient care.”

Preparedness for Extreme Weather

The impact of climate change is not just theoretical but evident, as recent extreme weather events have begun to affect health outcomes. More than half the physicians surveyed felt unprepared for advising patients on health risks linked to extreme weather. Specifically, 58% of respondents indicated that their workplaces were ill-equipped to manage such events.

Dr. Angela Morris, an environmental health specialist, emphasized the need for proactive training: “We must equip our healthcare systems to adapt and provide targeted advice for health threats like heatwaves and pollution spikes.” Despite the alarming statistics, 58% of physicians still showed some confidence in their ability to guide patients through these climate-related health crises, revealing a paradox of awareness and preparedness.

Engagement with Patients on Climate Issues

Perhaps most troubling is the finding that 76% of physicians had never discussed the health implications of climate change with their patients. Dr. Naomi Holt, a family physician, expresses concern over this lack of dialogue: “If we don’t engage our patients in conversations about climate risks, we’re failing them. This is an urgent public health issue that transcends traditional boundaries.”

Closing the Gap

The RCP’s survey serves as a clarion call for the medical community to bridge the gap between awareness and action. To truly prioritize sustainability in clinical practice, healthcare systems must foster an environment of support, education, and training refocused on the urgent realities of climate change. Without such an environment, keen awareness will remain futile.

The survey highlights a pivotal juncture: can the healthcare community evolve to meet the pressing demands of today? With leaders like Dr. Jennings and Dr. Morris advocating for integrated solutions, the potential for transformative change hangs in the balance. As the physicians reflected on that June day, the path to building a resilient future for patients and practitioners alike must start now. Igniting this necessary transformation is not merely a choice; it is a shared responsibility that can no longer be delayed.

Source: www.rcplondon.ac.uk