Perception, attitude and awareness towards sustainability practices in relation to climate change among nurses

Climate change threatens the existence of humanity on this planet. Healthcare systems account for about 5% of the global net CO2 emission and nurses form the largest part of the workforce. In light of the above, this review synthesised evidence concerning nurses’ perception, attitude, awareness, and views on sustainable nursing practice in relation to climate change.
Eighteen papers were included comprising nine quantitative, eight qualitative and one mixed method study, and represented 9 different countries across five continents. Five key themes were generated: i) knowledge and awareness of climate change, ii) Link between nursing and climate change, iii) environmental sustainability, iv) barriers to environmentally responsible healthcare, and v) routes to environmentally sustainable nursing practices.
The review indicates the need to raise awareness on climate change and Net-zero healthcare targets among nurses. There is also the need to mobilise nursing activism in relation to sustainable healthcare practices. Furthermore, the review makes a case for the use of professional development, in-service training, nurses’ competencies documents, and inclusion into curricula to improve nurses’ knowledge of climate change. In addition, the review calls for nurse leaderships in healthcare organisations or nurses’ involvement in climate change policies and actions.

Keywords
Nursing, Climate change, Environmental sustainability, Net-zero healthcare, environmentally responsible healthcare.