Climate change poses an urgent threat to human health, with thousands of deaths already attributed to extreme heat. In the Nordic countries, where per capita emissions are particularly high, healthcare accounts for 4.2-6.3% of emissions, highlighting the need for immediate action to reduce its climate impact. Evidence supporting sustainable climate solutions in healthcare is steadily growing. Greenhouse gas emissions in general practice can be broadly divided into those arising from clinical activities, such as patient examination, diagnosis, and treatment, and those from non-clinical activities, including clinic operations, energy use, and transportation by staff and patients. In this opinion paper, we discuss and advocate 'Green Care Practices' to minimize greenhouse gas emissions specifically related to clinical activities. We believe that Nordic general practitioners can adopt 'Green Care' to significantly reduce healthcare-related emissions while improving patient outcomes, enhancing efficiency, and promoting environmentally responsible healthcare. Strong primary healthcare, rooted in Nordic values, can support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by simultaneously mitigating climate change, reducing inequalities, fostering community stability, and promoting health and well-being. Thus, GPs can ensure sustainability for future generations.
Keywords: General practice; climate mitigation; green care; public health; sustainability.
Plain language summary
Climate change is an urgent threat to human health, with healthcare in the Nordic countries contributing ∼5% of national emissions, emphasizing the need for immediate action.‘Green Care Practices’ can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from clinical activities, improving both environmental and patient health outcomes.Nordic GPs can align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, fostering health, equality, and environmental responsibility for future generations.
Keywords：nordic practices; green care
气候变化对人类健康构成了紧迫威胁，已有数千人死亡被归因于极端高温。在北欧国家，人均排放量特别高的情况下，医疗保健占总排放量的4.2-6.3%，这突显了立即采取行动减少其气候影响的需求。支持可持续气候解决方案在医疗领域的证据正在稳步增长。一般实践中产生的温室气体排放大致可以分为与临床活动相关的部分（如患者检查、诊断和治疗）以及非临床活动相关的部分（包括诊所运营、能源使用和工作人员及患者的交通）。在这篇意见论文中，我们讨论并倡导“绿色护理实践”以最小化特定于临床活动的温室气体排放。我们认为，北欧全科医生可以采用“绿色护理”，从而显著减少与医疗保健相关的排放量，同时改善患者结果，提高效率，并促进环境负责的医疗保健。基于北欧价值观的强大初级卫生保健可以支持联合国可持续发展目标，通过同时缓解气候变化、减少不平等、促进社区稳定和推广健康与福祉来实现这些目标。因此，全科医生可以为未来几代人的可持续发展提供保障。
关键词： 一般实践；气候减缓；绿色护理；公共卫生；可持续性。
简单语言摘要：
气候变化是对人类健康的紧迫威胁，在北欧国家的医疗保健占全国排放量的大约5%，这强调了立即采取行动的需求。“绿色护理实践”可以显著减少临床活动中的温室气体排放，从而改善环境和患者的健康结果。北欧全科医生可以与联合国可持续发展目标保持一致，为未来的世代促进健康、平等和环境责任。
