At RCOT we’re committed to embedding sustainability in everything we do. We’ve analysed the responses from our first pulse survey on environmental sustainability late last year, which highlighted the need for our profession to drive change further across the sustainability agenda.
Of the 1,726 occupational therapists to respond, (95%) said we all have a role to play in reducing the negative impact our health and social care systems have on the planet. Just over half (55%) said that they felt able to take action as an occupational therapist to reduce environmental impact, while just under half (48%) said they feel able to influence other health and social care professionals to take similar actions.
When asked about RCOT’s role in the sustainability agenda, almost all (96%) believe we should take climate change seriously and should take appropriate action to reduce our carbon emissions/impact.
What are we doing to make a difference?
We recognise the critical importance of sustainability and are committed to ensuring it’s driven across the occupational therapy profession. Over the past year, our head offices have undergone a significant redesign, which we aimed to deliver in a sustainable way by consciously choosing the materials used, re-using existing materials and furniture where possible, and purchasing refurbished furniture.
We also donated surplus furniture to Waste to Wonder, an ethical office clearance charity, which furnishes schools in the global south. Stationery and chairs were donated to local schools and children's arts projects, while other office and kitchen items were donated to local people via Freecycle.
Working with an environmental consultancy to install new solar panels and replace the old, inefficient, end-of-life gas hot water/heating boiler, lighting and air conditioning has resulted in improving our efficiency and carbon footprint. The building’s energy rating has now gone from a low D to a high B.
Additionally, we created secure bike storage area and improved the showers for all building occupants, thereby encouraging zero-carbon travel to the building.
As an organisation, we know we’ve got a responsibility to invest our charitable assets to help support the organisation and its financial status and future longevity and our general approach to sustainability includes supporting investments in companies and investment funds that demonstrate positive policies and practices, in line with our values.
Our appointed investments managers are encouraged to adopt the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a positive framework for the investment of our charitable assets.
Pete Vesey, RCOT Professional Advisor of Enviromental Sustainability, commented:
'Our pulse survey has shown that members believe we all have a role to play in reducing the negative impact our health and social care systems have on the environment, as well as highlighting the challenges you face when it comes to reducing our environmental impact, your ability to influence others to take action, and your understanding of what we are doing on sustainability and to support you'.
‘You shared examples across some key themes, including equipment procurement, reuse and recycling, travel and transport, plastic and PPE, remote and hybrid working, and utility consumption. Your ideas are helping us to better understand what small steps you are taking, as individuals and teams, connecting with green networks and strategies locally and nationally, as well as the policy and system-changes that would enable and empower individual change'.
As a first step, we are planning a feature in OTnews on aids, equipment and adaptations.
We would love to hear your examples of changes you have been making in this area to reduce impact on the environment, examples of projects or initiatives as well as some of the key areas for improvement. This could be in any of the following:
- changing how we prescribe (reducing consumption)
- sustainable materials and procurement
- reuse of materials and equipment
- recycling and disposal.
Please contact editorial@rcot.co.uk with your ideas of what you would like to share.
‘We will be repeating the pulse survey this Autumn, so please do look out for it and take the opportunity to help shape this continuing journey'.
We have a number of additional resources which will provide you with insight to our strategy and commitment to align activities with environmental imperatives. Please refer to our: