Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Climate change threatens human health and well-being. Health services generate substantial greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change and increasing pressure on health services. 93 countries have committed to developing climate-resilient, low-carbon, sustainable health services under the WHO Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health. In publicly funded health services net zero policies must balance achieving climate commitments and maintaining public support. Yet, little is known about public support for the changes need to achieve net zero health care services.
METHODS: This study uses a Discrete Choice Experiment to elicit public preferences, and willingness to pay, for net zero policies within a publicly funded health care service, the UK National Health Service. Respondents were asked to select between pairs of plans that could be implemented to achieve a net zero health service and a ‘no net zero’ plan. The plans described actions across 6 areas: buildings and estates, travel and transport, outdoor spaces, medicine provision, supply chain, food and catering, and increased taxation.
RESULTS: We find the public in the UK support and are willing to pay for net zero policies, but support depends on whether policies need to be financed by increased taxation. We find significant preference heterogeneity across respondents. Between 3 and 12% of respondents do not support any net zero policies and do not consider this to be a priority for the health service. A substantial proportion of respondents were willing to accept and pay for all actions to achieve a net zero health service.
CONCLUSIONS: As the first study of its kind, this study provides new and timely information about public preferences and willingness to pay for net zero policies within health services. Our results suggest decarbonisation policies are likely to gain public backing, provided they do not compromise health outcomes or the quality of patient experience.