For Primary Care organisations and professionals, Earth Day is not just a symbolic moment—it’s an opportunity to lead by example and connect environmental sustainability to health outcomes.

Each year on April 22, Earth Day brings people together around the globe to celebrate our planet and take action to protect it. In 2025, the theme is Our Power, Our Planet, urging everyone who wants to take part to "educate, advocate and mobilise".

Why Primary Care Should Care

Healthcare is responsible for nearly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and much of this comes from everyday operations—from energy use to single-use plastics. At the same time, climate change is already affecting the health of patients through increased respiratory issues, heat-related illness, and vector-borne diseases.

As the front line of healthcare, Primary Care has a unique role to play in advocating for planetary health, reducing its own footprint, and empowering patients and communities to make healthier, more sustainable choices.

It’s a topic FPM and Thornfields have supported many times in the past – to check out our webinar on How Sustainability Can Save Money and Lives in Primary Care, view the webinar on our YouTube channel.

Simple, Impactful Ways to Get Involved

Here’s how Primary Care teams can take meaningful action for Earth Day 2025 and beyond:

1. Audit Your Organisation's Environmental Impact

Start by assessing your organisation's energy usage, waste production, and reliance on single-use items. This can uncover opportunities to reduce costs and carbon emissions. Consider joining or forming a Green Team to lead sustainability initiatives.

2. Reduce Plastic Use in Clinical Settings

Swap plastic items like cups, cutlery, and packaging for compostable or reusable alternatives where possible. Work with suppliers to source more sustainable medical products.

3. Promote Active Travel

Encourage patients and staff to walk or cycle to appointments when feasible. Practices can install bike racks, partner with local councils to promote active transport, or even offer telehealth options to reduce travel-related emissions.

4. Educate Patients on the Links Between Environment and Health

Use Earth Day as a platform to share resources with patients about how environmental factors affect health. Posters, newsletters, or social media posts can cover topics like air pollution, climate change, and sustainable lifestyle choices.

5. Green Your Workspace

Switch to energy-efficient lighting, implement recycling systems, and consider a plant-based day in the staff kitchen. Even small changes like turning off unused equipment can make a difference over time.

6. Participate in Local Earth Day Events

Engage with the wider community by taking part in clean-ups, tree planting, or environmental health campaigns. These events build connections and reinforce the link between community health and a healthy planet.

7. Champion Policy Change

Primary Care leaders can advocate for policies that promote clean air, active travel infrastructure, and climate resilience in healthcare. Join networks like Greener NHS, Health Care Without Harm, or local sustainability initiatives.

8. Promote Green Policies in Your Organisation

If you need some inspiration, then our market-leading compliance software FPM Core has a range of sustainable-themed policies to save money and lives. Why not check out our templates for Net Zero Policy for General Practice, or our Environmental Policy Statement?

Leading by Example

Earth Day is a reminder that caring for the planet is a vital part of caring for people. By integrating sustainable practices into healthcare settings, Primary Care professionals can inspire both colleagues and patients to think more holistically about health—now and for future generations.

In 2025, let’s make Earth Day more than a date. Let’s make it a movement—starting with Primary Care.