A Highland Charter for Climate, Nature and Health has been developed by a number of organisations, including Highlands and Islands Climate Hub and the Highland Green Health Partnership, and will be launched as part of Green Health Week (11-18 May 2024).
The Partnership has chosen the theme of nurturing the health of people and planet to recognise the importance of the relationship between the planet and those who call it home.
The aim of the Charter is to consider protecting the environment as well as benefiting from it. The Charter looks at how we acknowledge the impact of climate change on the natural environment, and how that can also affect our own health.
Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland's Director of Public Health, said: “It is imperative that we work together to nurture and protect the natural environments that keep us well. This Charter gives us a chance to commit to ourselves and each other, and provides a platform that means we all continue to enjoy and care for the wonderful nature that surrounds us.”
Caroline Vawdrey, Coordinator of the Highland Environment Forum, said: “Caring for nature and reducing our climate impact is essential for the health of the planet and people and we need to act rapidly in the face of the nature and climate emergency. Research also highlights the many benefits nature brings for people's health and wellbeing.
“It has been a rewarding process to work with all the partners, and we hope that the pledge will be taken up by everyone from individuals and businesses through to the public bodies serving the Highlands.”
By signing up to the Charter, people will be able to find information on how they can commit to the health of people and planet. There are also ideas and opportunities for organisations and individuals to make small, and big, differences.
Visit the Highland Charter for Climate, Nature and Health website.
Find out about Green Health Week 2024 events at the Think Health Think Nature website.
Bringing together the 3 key areas of work around Climate, Nature and Health, The Highland Charter was developed collaboratively with various partnerships including main partners:
- Highland and Islands Climate Hub
- NHS Highland
- Highland Adapts
- Highland Environment Forum
- The Highland Council
- Highland Third Sector Interface
The event is being hosted at Inverness Botanic Gardens in partnership with High Life Highland.
These organisations are members of both Highland Green Health Partnership and Highland Adapts:
- NHS Highland
- NatureScot
- High Life Highland
- Highland Third Sector Interface
- Paths for All
- The University of the Highlands and Islands
- The Cairngorms National Park Authority
- Forestry and Land Scotland
- The Highland Council
- Highland Environment Forum
