Climate change

For five years in his role as RCPCH Vice President, David has championed paediatric training and trainees. In this message for members – who bring the quality, commitment and challenge the College needs – he expresses gratitude to all he’s worked with.

Camilla reflects on an energetic RCPCH Conference Online with desire for action, engagement and "being boat rockers". She congratulates Andrew Pollard for his extraordinary services in the pandemic and highlights new opportunities for our members.

In June 2021 we were asked to respond to concerns raised by the coroner regarding the sad and untimely death of a nine-year-old girl in London, which was found to be contributed to by exposure to excessive air pollution.

We have recruited a group of members to help us deliver the College’s climate change strategy for the future benefit of children and young people.

There are so many ways you can join us in our climate advocacy work. Here we share a few of the latest opportunities.

In March 2021 we responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation to create a requirement to review and publish a Welsh Clean Air Plan Strategy every 5 years. We welcomed this proposal as this will ensure that essential action will be taken to reduce air pollution.

Children are among the most vulnerable to the health risks of climate change. Through our Climate Change Working Group we are looking at what the College and our members can do to play our part in combating climate change for the future benefit of children and young people.

Liz Marder, RCPCH treasurer and Chair of the RCPCH Climate Change Working Group, marks Earth Day by sharing an update on our climate change activity.

We join a coalition of organisations in declaring a climate emergency and publish a plan to accelerate our work in this area.

The College warns that air pollution is the single greatest environmental threat to public health in the UK, and that it disproportionately affects children, young people, and more deprived communities. Our calls include the expansion of clean air zones in towns and cities, bringing forward our comm...