The UK governments and health services have an important role in protecting women’s health, pregnancy outcomes and gender equality from the growing impact of climate change.
In the UK, temperatures are increasing and exceeded 40°C for the first time ever in 2022 - with particular risks for women in pregnancy and in older age.
Outside of the UK, global inequalities are being exacerbated in regions which are the most vulnerable to severe climate-related risks. Extreme weather, poverty, food insecurity and displacement caused by climate change directly damage women’s health, disrupt access to essential healthcare, and hold back progress on gender equality.
The RCOG is prioritising action to support its membership to deliver more sustainable care, reduce our own emissions, and advocate for a healthier future for women and girls. As part of this, the College has developed a new policy position setting out why it is vital that the UK governments and health services consider women’s health in their response to climate change.
To play its part in tackling the main cause of climate change, the UK must substantially reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. This includes rapidly phasing out support for fossil fuels, and ensuring health and equity are always a top priority during this change. The NHS must be fully supported to reduce its own emissions while supporting patient safety and choice.
At the same time, the governments of the UK must urgently boost resilience to climate change across all sectors, for example by developing and delivering plans to ensure that access to essential healthcare, such as maternity care, is not disrupted by flooding or heatwaves.
To support women’s health and gender equality across the world, the RCOG is calling for the UK Government to deliver their manifesto commitment of reversing cuts to the overseas aid budget, ensure strong international commitments to support lower-income countries, and be a strong advocate for gender equality.
Dr Ranee Thakar, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said
“Climate change is happening and we cannot sit back and let it damage health across our lifetime, and the lives of generations to come. Our members around the world see first-hand the disastrous effects climate-related extreme weather, displacement and poverty are having on women’s health and pregnancy outcomes. In the UK, the health burdens of climate change are falling upon an NHS already struggling to deliver timely and high quality women’s health services.
“The RCOG’s new climate change statement sets out important evidence and recommendations for the urgent government action needed to ensure our health services are resilient, and to seize the opportunity to improve health equity at the same time. There is no time to delay.
“We will continue to work with other healthcare leaders and decision-makers to ensure that this issue remain at the forefront of the political agenda, and collectively make the difference women and girls around the world so desperately need.”
The RCOG is currently undertaking an extensive programme of work to support its membership to provide more sustainable care including working with maternity professionals and women to design resources that support more equitable and sustainable maternity care. Join our Green maternity conference on March 19 2025: Green Maternity Conference: Taking collective action to deliver low carbon, equitable maternity care