RACGP updates its position statement on climate change

17 August 2026
SHW
Sydney Health Weekly

The RACGP has updated its position statement on climate change which supports and extends the advocacy objectives set out in the RACGP’s Advocacy Plan 2026 -30.

This highlights climate change policy in the broader policy agenda, and acknowledges the RACGP’s inclusion of criteria for environmental sustainability in general practice.

Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are significant threats to mental and physical health particularly to those people who are more vulnerable through age, pre-existing illness or social circumstances.

This position statement commits the RACGP to:

supporting general practices to meet and surpass RACGP standards for environmental sustainability in general practice
reducing its own environmental impact
building resilience within RACGP and in Australian general practices to respond to the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution
ensuring GP education and training, both prior to and post-fellowship, equip GPs with the knowledge and skills to support patients and communities to:
- reduce their own environmental impact, particularly when this is a co-benefit of behaviours that improve health
- respond to impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution on health
supporting general practice research to inform RACGP and general practice responses to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

CESPHN includes a Green Practice Checklist to support climate friendly practices.