"Don't let the fact that you don't know the last step, stop you from acting today.”
— Dr Nick Watts, Chief Sustainability Officer, NHS.
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In this episode, Dr Nick Watts discusses what it takes to be part of a world-leading race to zero carbon emissions in healthcare. Dr Watt reflects on his early career at the World Health Organisation and pivotal experience at the Lancet’s Countdown climate organisation.
He elaborates on approaching a multidisciplinary team of experts in the climate space and what was needed to make them successful. Dr Watts then highlights how getting to carbon zero relates to the NHS's core mission and values. He then critically examines the challenges of coalition-building - emphasizing the need for open communication, relationship-building, and evidence-based solutions.
Finally, we navigate the tense balance between the urgency to reduce our carbon footprint and the call for fundamental shifts in our worldview. We explore Dr. Watts' transition to his role at the NHS, probe the importance of effective communication, and discuss the challenge of upscaling with limited resources.
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About our guest: Dr Watts is the Chief Sustainability Officer for the NHS, responsible for its commitment to deliver the world’s first net zero health service. He’s a medical doctor, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Faculty of Public Health, and an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame and at NUS. Prior to the NHS, Nick worked internationally with a range of health organisations including the WHO, and Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown, the Global Climate and Health Alliance, and the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change.
Resources mentioned in the podcast:
Contact information: If you have any feedback, questions or if you'd like to get in touch, reach out at jono@clinicalchangemakers.com
Music attribution: AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Ep4: Journey to Zero - How to Lead the Climate Revolution in Healthcare | Dr Nick Watts