Reporting Climate, Health and Sustainability

As the nation’s largest funder of health and care research, we recognise the key role we must play in driving and promoting sustainable health and care systems.

The NIHR recognises in order for everyone in the UK to benefit from its research, publishing and disseminating the findings of research we fund is crucial to facilitating sharing of knowledge, best practice and providing actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners. Transparent and widespread dissemination of research not only amplifies the impact of research but aligns with the principles of responsible sustainable research.

In support of NIHR’s commitments around climate change, health, and sustainability the Journals Library are working towards becoming signatories to the SDG Publishers compact, designed to inspire action among publishers. The Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

All NIHR award teams are encouraged to report on Climate, Health and Sustainability in the Journals Library publications, Impact and Learning heading within the Synopsis and Extended Research Article. Award teams are encouraged to report on Climate, Health and Sustainability in the Research Articles if and when appropriate. Authors are asked to describe how Climate, Health and Sustainability has been considered and incorporated into the research award and how it has been reflected within the award team and authors of the award.

We also welcome authors to explain why considerations on the environmental impact did not take place, to understand the barriers to identity areas of future support.

Climate, Health and Sustainability is a broad topic, and the Journals Library will continually review and update the guidance in line with its stakeholders.

Please see below the suggested areas for award teams to consider as part of the manuscript write-up. Authors do not need to respond to every suggested area or point, but to be used to help form part of the broader narrative and woven through the section.

Relevance and implications

What is the relevance of your research and who is the research for in addressing Climate, Health and Sustainability?
How does this fit into the ‘pillars’ of climate, health and sustainability funding e.g., Human health, health systems, and research systems?
- Does this look at adaptation, resilience, healthcare decarbonisation, etc?
How does you research improve the health and/or wellbeing of the public and/or to patients and health care services?
How does your area of research link to current practice or policy and what was the impact as a result of your research outcomes?
What are your aspirational/pre-planned dissemination or discussions to ensure the outcomes of the research are taken forward for implementation by your key stakeholders, partners and target audiences/groups?

Reflections on your research team and wider involvement

With reference to SDGs 5: Gender Equality and 10: Reduced Inequalities; how did your research team and authors include those from groups who are generally under-represented in your field of study? (e.g., from the global north and south, and where possible, languages other than English). See our reporting equality diversity and inclusionpage for more information
When setting up and conducting your research, what considerations (if any) did you take to reduce your environmental impact including reusable medical devices and supplies e.g., aprons, drapes, gowns, electrical products, surgical instruments, gloves, masks, packaging etc; what were the challenges, successes, and considerations for the future?

For example:

Methodology - any actions taken, and tools/guidance used?
Management of energy and resources - measures taken to reduce energy consumption in laboratories, offices, and during fieldwork. Other initiatives to reduce water usage and other resources.
Waste reduction and recycling - initiatives to reduce waste, e.g., paper waste, and appropriate waste management of hazardous material ensuring considerations of aquatic toxicity/ effects on the local environment.
Transport and travel - how did you manage this, both in terms of conducting the research but also in how you disseminated it e.g., conference attendances etc?
Procurement - any efforts to source sustainable procurement, reused/ repurposed items, asset management at end of project, etc. This may include specific purchasing decisions such as choosing Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified products.
Lessons learned/ future directions - Share data collected, lessons learned and adjustments made to improve efforts over time. Outline your plans for further reducing the environmental impact of your research in the future.
For those who did not consider environmental impact - why was this the case? What were the barriers (if any)?

Other useful guidance you may want to consider, but not mandatory:

SDG Publishers Compact Fellows top action tips: Recommendations for best practice on bringing SDGs into your research
SDG Publishers Compact Fellows top action tips: Communicating with professionals and practitioners
SDG Publishers Compact Fellows top action tips: Communicating with policymakers, journalists and the public

Useful links:

NIHR Carbon Reduction Guidelines
Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice
The Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs)
Report by RAND Europe outlines the current tools and initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of health research.
Sustainable laboratory guidance by Royal Society of Chemistry, on how to carry out scientific research in an environmentally sustainable way, without compromising on research quality and impact.