Becoming a Faculty Climate and Sustainability Lead

Publication date: 18 December 2024

We’re Veena and James, Co-Chairs of the Faculty Climate and Sustainability Leads group. We're here to talk about what it's like to be a lead, and how you can get involved.

Each RCGP Faculty has a voluntary Climate and Sustainability Lead position. The purpose of the role is to provide leadership on sustainability and escalate action at local, regional, and national levels. This includes engaging with members on planetary health and supporting RCGP initiatives.

Apply to be a Faculty Climate and Sustainability Lead

Making a difference as a climate and sustainability champion

Hear from Faculty Climate and Sustainability leads discussing their achievements and joys of the role.

Veena's experience in the role

I would highly recommend joining the Faculty Climate and Sustainability Leads group. This is a fantastic opportunity to have influence over the college both at a local faculty and national level. There are opportunities within the Faculties to organise educational events or prizes, and within the Faculty board meetings we can comment on all papers going to Council and provide that sustainability lens. 

The Faculty climate leads meetings are a space for us to share ideas with each other and provide input into the RCGP sustainability strategy. In the future we are hoping to look at a number of areas such as communication to members, wider advocacy, and educational events.

James' experience in the role

I’ve personally found being the Sustainability Lead for my Faculty (East Anglia) really rewarding. We’ve been able to run local webinars, fund sustainability course places for local members, and establish a local climate prize for the most active practice. We are keen to build greater collaboration between Faculty Sustainability Leads and develop more opportunities for us to learn from each other.

faculty-climate-leads

Other experiences

We spoke to some other Faculty leads about their experiences. Common themes have included:

  • A sense of purpose: The work we do is so important, not just for the RCGP, but for the UK and the entire world.
  • Stimulating projects: There are so many different ways to get involved.
  • Finding a community: Meeting people from all over the country, united in a common goal, can be energising and empowering.
I've really enjoyed learning that an institution of which I’m a member, and have had the luck to be more involved with, is actually an incredibly philanthropic, thoughtful and a mobile institution. I’m very excited for what's to come still!
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Examples of sustainability projects

Speaking to leads across Faculties, we've found there is so much exciting, innovative work going on. Here are just a few examples of what's going on:

  • Organising networking events and sharing ideas
  • Sustainability scholarships, courses, and coaching sessions to widen learning
  • Research projects, such as on air pollution, often getting local or national coverage
  • Hosting a plant-first menu at a Faculty Annual General Meeting
  • Meeting politicians and doing deputations at local councils
Being able to come together to see those brilliant ideas in one room has just been amazing.

Apply to be a sustainability lead

If you are interested in sustainability, then please consider becoming a lead in your area. We are a supportive bunch and we welcome anyone, no matter whether you have sustainability experience.

Apply to be a Faculty climate and sustainability lead
Net zero image surrounded by green energy symbols.

Or if you’d like to explore more about the role, complete this brief expression of interest form so that we can put you in touch with your Faculty Board.

Advocacy roles - expression of interest form

Explore the website for further info:

Find out more about RCGP Faculties

How the RCGP is responding to the climate emergency

About the writers

A white RCGP logo with a blue background.

Dr Veena Aggarwal

Co-Chair of Faculty Climate and Sustainability Leads group

Veena is a GP in South London and is a Climate and Sustainability Lead for her Faculty in south London. Prior to becoming Co-Chair of the national climate leads group, Veena was Vice Chair for two years. She undertook a fellowship working for NHS England and Improvement Primary Care Team, helping to reduce NHS carbon emissions and work towards net zero. She is also Founder of the Greener Practice Trainee Forum and has run a south London scholarship programme for six scholars.

A white RCGP logo with a blue background.

Dr James Smith

Co-Chair of Faculty Climate and Sustainability Leads group

James has been the East Anglia Faculty Sustainability Lead for several years and is currently Co-Chair of the national climate leads group. He's based at the University of Cambridge, where he addresses environmental crises and health through education, research, and influencing practice and policy. James has worked on sustainability for over 15 years including at the NHS Sustainable Development Unit and Public Health England. He wrote the Greener Practice guidance on reducing the environmental impact of inhaler use, and was on the NHS England expert working group on inhalers.