Sustainability and Climate Change

The Net Zero Roadmap 2025-2030 guides the strategic approach NSW Health takes to the NSW Government’s net zero targets. It outlines where we’re at, what we’ve done and our direction for the next 5 years, so NSW Health can achieve it's vision as a leading modern, high-quality, low-carbon and climate resilient health system.

The natural environment—including air, water, land, and biodiversity—plays a critical role in shaping human health outcomes. Contact with healthy natural environments promotes physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social connection, contributing positively to overall health. Conversely, environmental risks such as air pollution, water contamination, and climate change pose significant threats, increasing the prevalence of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, infectious illnesses, and mental health challenges. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by environmental health risks, highlighting health inequities linked to unequal access to clean and safe environments. National preventive health strategies emphasize the importance of preserving natural environments and addressing social determinants to reduce disease burden and promote equitable health improvements. Collaborative, multi-sectoral efforts are essential to foster environments that support sustainable health and wellbeing for all Australians.

The need for urgent action to address the health impacts of climate change is well-established. Australia is facing greater climate change impacts than many other parts of the world.

The Planetary Health Alliance is a growing consortium of hundreds of universities, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and government entities from 80+ countries around the world committed to understanding and addressing the impacts of global environmental change on human health and well-being.