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Climate change and sustainability

We are working to build a future that protects both people and planet, where we can all enjoy longer, healthier lives now and in the future. To do this we need to meet the big challenges facing Wales today.

Climate change is one of the biggest health threats of the century.

Our climate is changing leading to warmer wetter winters, hotter drier summers and more extreme events. This means flooding, extreme heat and drought are more likely which brings short and long-term health risks along with wider effects such as food insecurity, biodiversity loss and poor air quality.

Wales is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world with 1 in 6 species now facing extinction.

Our quality of life and very existence is dependent on nature. We need a rich network of plants, insects, and animals to create a healthy environment. Wildlife is declining globally and in Wales. Biodiversity loss disrupts our ‘life support’ systems, affecting our physical health and mental wellbeing.

Tackling the public health effects of climate change is a strategic priority for Public Health Wales.

Climate change is already affecting the health and wellbeing of people in Wales. Some people and communities are impacted more than others, and this will widen inequalities. We must make sure that actions to address the causes of climate change and adapt to its effects can have benefits for public health and narrow – not widen – health inequalities.

We are taking action to –

  • Reduce our emissions and carbon footprint (mitigation); and
  • Prepare for a changing climate and the impacts it will have on health and our public health services (adaptation).

This work supports the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015  and the sustainable development principle; which promotes long-term thinking, prevention,  collaboration and involvement and integration, at the heart of everything we do.

We work closely with other organisations including the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Natural Resources Wales and Transport for Wales as well as other NHS Wales health boards and trusts.

Protecting health in a changing climate

Climate change is impacting on health and wellbeing in Wales. We are working to understand how the impacts of climate change will affect the public health services we deliver, as well as the impacts on population health, ensuring that we have plans in place to continue our work as the climate changes.

Find out more about how we are monitoring and responding to the health impacts of climate change here.

Health benefits of climate action 

The solutions to the climate crisis will deliver many benefits to our health. By acting now to reduce our emissions and impact and adapt to our changing climate, we can protect and improve health and wellbeing through cleaner air, greener energy, healthy travel, sustainable food and greener communities. 

  • Improving energy efficiency of our homes reduces energy demand, alleviating fuel poverty and improving health outcomes. 
  • Active travel and public transport can reduce emissions and pollution, improve air quality, increase physical activity and reduce health harms from vehicles. 
  • Access to greenspace can improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, supporting healthy behaviours, improving social cohesion. In towns and cities greenspace can also help reduce the risk of flooding and provide shade during hot weather. 

Placing health and equity at the heart of climate action will help us deliver these co-benefits. 

Reducing our carbon footprint

We can and must act now to tackle the causes of climate change. For us, this means achieving net zero as an organisation by 2030. Net zero means balancing the amount of gases warming the planet with the amount being removed from the atmosphere. Effectively this means no longer adding to the total amount of these gases, to help limit climate change.

Public Health Wales’ Decarbonisation and Sustainability Plan brings our actions together and helps monitor the progress we are making.

Find out more about our work to reduce our carbon footprint here.

Prioritising prevention

Good health is a fundamental right, but in Wales, health outcomes vary unfairly across communities.

The 2025 report ‘Investing in a Healthier Wales: prioritising prevention’ outlines how investing in prevention sets the foundation for good health throughout people’s lives and showcases areas that could have the greatest impact.

For example, access to green and blue spaces can improve mental health and deliver social returns of £0.79 to £28 for every £1 spent.  

The report focuses on both long-term programmes and targeted interventions that aim to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and lessen the financial impact of poor health on the NHS and wider society in Wales.

Read the full report on investing in a healthier Wales.

Championing nature

A healthy environment supports our food systems, sustains our air and water quality and helps us adapt to climate change by protecting us from flooding and capture carbon. Our mental and physical health, identity and culture are also deeply connected to nature.

But wildlife is declining, and biodiversity loss will affecting our physical health and mental wellbeing.  We are championing nature for a healthy future. This means sharing the benefits of nature for our health and well-being, reducing our impact on the environment and supporting greater access to green space within our communities.

Supporting the healthcare sector

The Greener Primary Care Wales Framework and Award Scheme helps primary care settings including GP practices, community pharmacies, optometry practices and dental practices improve their sustainability and environmental impact.

The online framework is free to join and supports action across a broad range of clinical and non-clinical categories. Once registered, practices are able to work towards a bronze, silver or gold award depending on the number of actions they complete.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

Promoting action

Protecting the health of our nation and of our planet means us all making small changes to the way we live, work and play.

We are supporting our staff to have a greater understanding of climate change and sustainability and making it easier for them to make healthy, more sustainable choices. Our Green Advocates Network, encourages colleagues to become champions for action and to inspire others to do the same.

Take a look at the links below for ideas and inspiration on how you can take action.

The Sustainable Steps Series: These e-guides help teams and individuals reduce their impact on the environment and make sustainable choices in both their work and home life

The Health and Sustainability Hub

The Health and Sustainability Hub supports Public Health Wales to embed sustainability and respond to the climate and nature emergencies.

Further information and details on how to contact the Health and Sustainability Hub can be found here.

Related topics

You may also be interested in viewing our pages on Environmental Public Health, Health inequity, Housing, International health, and Wider determinants and inequalities.

Further reading

There are a range of publications available to support your search:

View all reference materials relating to climate change and sustainability.

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