What are we doing?

As part of our aim of putting sustainability at the heart of our activities, in 2023 the ABN joined UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC), an alliance of UK health organisations. We as the ABN have signed up to their commitments. These include, among others: embedding sustainability in governance, structure and culture; developing a plan for sustainability in neurology and developing and implementing a travel policy for members and staff.

We are revising and updating our Sustainability Policy, recognising that the climate emergency is linked with worsening health outcomes and that there is increasing evidence that a changing climate can exacerbate the symptoms and instances of neurological conditions, as well as worsening mental health within the general population. We will have clear actions that help minimise the ABN's impact on the environment and ensure we can continue to be an effective organisation long into the future. 

View ABN's sustainability policy.  

Elsewhere in Neurology

Cop29

As a member of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC), we signed a letter calling on UK government ministers attending COP29 to put health at the forefront of discussions and re-establish global leadership.

Greener clinical trials for people with neurological conditions

ABN members who are clinical trialists can consider joining the Greener Trials Working Group, and collaborate to deliver environmentally sustainable clinical trials: they’re full of useful tips and host drop-in clinics for interested trialists (listed below). Whilst all of us will be delighted that reduced paperwork improves the carbon footprint of research, greenhouse gas emissions from travel and our institutions’ buildings are in even greater need of attention. Drop in workshops available in 2025. 

UK HACC Report Building a Climate-Resilient Health System in UK

The evidenced based report highlights how the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events, such as heatwaves, floods, and new disease patterns, are already disrupting healthcare services across the UK. Almost half of healthcare workers say they have experienced such disruption in the last five years. Read the Report (published June 2025). 

next steps

It’s the beginning of the process but we’re working hard to help the ABN become a more sustainable organisation, and to encourage sustainability in wider neurological practice. What do you think are the important points? How can we improve sustainability within neurology and within the ABN?

Get involved by joining our Sustainability SIG by emailing the chair, Jan Coebergh or get in touch with the ABN office.