Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Programme- TRANSFORM. 2022 Highlighted Thematic Project- Health, climate change and innovation – Supporting the sustainability transition in the health care sector.

A PhD studentship is available for an October 2022 start as part of the Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Programme- TRANSFORM.

In 2020 the UK’s National Health Service set out its ambition to become “net zero” for its direct emissions by 2040. In 2019, the health service’s emissions totalled 25 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Both the acute and primary care sectors are the largest contributors to this carbon footprint. There is an urgent need for new insights into how the health sector (both nationally and globally) can achieve such significant emissions reductions. This project seeks to develop innovative frameworks and (business) models designed to support this sustainability transition in the health care sector, for example, through re-designed clinical pathways, optimised services, as well as new forms of organisation and governance. Taking a nexus approach, this project recognises the critical interlinkages between climate action (SDG13), good health and wellbeing (SDG3), and industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG9). This means it is imperative to acknowledge the wider tensions with and co-benefits for other SDGs when developing sustainable innovation and solutions. The primary research focus of this project is set on the UK but would aim to generate insights for global application as well. Beyond adopting a nexus approach, the project seeks to develop a programme theory with which to propose and evaluate specific interventions designed to support the sustainability transition in the health care sector. Anticipated outcomes of this project should be new methodologies and frameworks that are based on both academic rigour and practical relevance. In collaboration with external stakeholders, the project seeks to develop policy guidance and recommendations for health care planners, services, and practitioners.