RCPsych at the COP26 climate conference
We were awarded observer status at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in 2021. Throughout the conference, we reported back to highlight the important connections between climate and mental health.
During COP26 we shared blog posts and other updates which you can see below. We also provided many updates via our main @RCPsych Twitter account as well as our @RCPsychGreen account.
Reaching carbon net zero
In our position statement, we pledged to be carbon net zero for the emissions we control. We released this short animated video at COP26, explaining some of the things we're doing to help achieve this.
Special WHO event
On 10 November 2021 the College, along with the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, hosted a special event in Glasgow from the WHO Health Pavilion.
This event was titled The future of healthcare if we do nothing: why we must adapt now so we are resilient to the effects of climate change and featured a number of speakers followed by a Q&A. Find out more and watch a recording of the event below.
COP26 blog
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Co-benefits at COP: four ways in which improving the environment could also improve mental health
Dr Lisa Page, the College’s Associate Registrar for Sustainability, reflects on what she has seen at COP and on some win-win situations where climate change improvements would also lead to ...
Dr Lisa Page -
Green spaces and mental health - what’s the connection?
Dr Katherine Kennet, the College’s Social Prescribing Lead, reports back from COP26 on the importance of green spaces and nature for mental health.
Dr Katherine Kennet -
What do we want, and when do we want it?
Dr Nick Barnes spoke to dozens of young people at COP26 - here he summarises their key asks and calls passionately for action to achieve them.
Dr Nick Barnes -
Ideas emerging from week one at COP26
Professor Bernadka Dubicka's blog post offers five ideas after a thought-provoking first week at COP26.
Professor Bernadka Dubicka -
Are we really listening and who are we listening to?
Dr Nick Barnes has spent the week at COP26 - are the right voices being heard?
Dr Nick Barnes -
Depicting the climate emergency through art
Dr Elaine Lockhart has been inspired by artists, scientists and businesspeople at COP26 as she considers how we can support young people worried about the climate crisis.
Dr Elaine Lockhart -
Applauding the NHS, and a word of warning
Dr Nick Barnes celebrates NHS England's position on climate change but asks that mental health is not left behind.
Dr Nick Barnes -
On the road to COP26
Join Dr Catriona Mellor on the road to COP26, as she provides a daily diary from Ride for their Lives, and heads on two wheels to Glasgow.
Dr Catriona Mellor