Green Practice Checklist

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Climate change and healthcare

Climate change is now affecting our environment and our health. We are seeing more fires, floods and heat waves. But together we can make a difference - by taking actions to reduce the impacts of climate change and ensure a healthy future for our community.

Primary care providers can play a key leadership role by improving sustainability within the health care sector. To support you in this process, CESPHN has developed the Green Practice Checklist - a self-audit tool that provides an environmental assessment of your workplace.

The first step: the green checklist

The green checklist recognises your green achievements and identifies ways that you could make your practice more sustainable. The checklist is designed to benefit your patients, your practice and ensure that your business aligns with best-practice green principles.

The checklist will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please tick all actions that apply to your practice. Answer ‘not yet started’ will give you 0 points, ‘partially achieved’ 1 point, and ‘completed’ 2 points.

At the end of the checklist, you will be given a total score indicating your progress on your sustainability journey.

About you

Practice Name:

What is the postcode of your practice ?

What type of practice do you work at?

What is your role at the practice?

Email Address:

Waste Management

Does your practice reduce, reuse and recycle waste?

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
Recycling bins are provided for the following waste: paper and cardboard, cans and bottles, soft plastics, glass.
Waste bins are clearly labelled (e.g. clinical, non-clinical, paper and recycling) to ensure bins aren’t contaminated with non‑recyclable waste.
Staff are made aware of what can be recycled eg. posters of what can go in each bin.
Toner and ink cartridges are collected for refill or recycling.

Does your practice have strategies to minimise e-waste

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
E‑waste is discarded responsibly by engaging a recycling company to collect various types of e‑waste or dropping off your e‑waste at organisations that offer recycling.

Helpful Resources

How do I dispose of e-waste?

Recyclers in your area

Does your practice have strategies to reduce printing and use of paper?

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
Electronic records and electronic communications are used in your practice.
Telehealth, e-prescribing and e-referral are used to provide care for your patients.
Clinical guidelines, resources and educational material are accessed and viewed online rather than printing copies.
Faxed communications are sent directly to a digital inbox rather than being printed by default.

Utilities

Does your practice try to reduce water usage?

Does your practice have strategies to reduce the demand on Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) systems?

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
Thermostats are set to comfortable conditions with reasonable energy efficiency; ie for winter 20–22°C and for summer 24–26°C.
Heating and cooling are turned off at night.
Other ways to reduce demand on HVAC have been implemented: - improved building insulation - high-performance window glazing - natural ventilation - external window shading - appropriate window coverings

Does your practice have ways to reduce energy usage of appliances and lighting?

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
The energy rating of appliances has been reviewed, and energy efficiency is considered when purchasing appliances (such as refrigerators and dishwashers).
Timers or motion sensors are installed for lighting and other power outlets.

Does your practice source renewable energy?

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
Green Power is purchased for your practice.

Helpful Resources

Find a Green Provider

Prescribing and Testing (Clinical Actions)

Does your practice minimise the environmental impact of inhalers?

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
Practice staff are aware of the environmental impact of inhalers and where feasible inhaler prescriptions have been reviewed and changed from pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDI) to Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs).

Helpful Resources

The environmental impact of inhalers

Reducing the carbon footprint of inhalers

Does your practice have ways to limit pharmaceutical wastage?

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
GPs follow established guidelines to reduce the unnecessary use of diagnostic tests (eg. Choosing Wisely, HealthPathways).

Helpful Resources

Choosing Wisely

Operational Actions

Does your practice incorporate sustainability into business operations?

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
Single use plastics are avoided and ecofriendly options are purchased where possible E.g: recycled paper, tissues, biodegradable items, cleaning supplies.
Your practice purchases carbon offsets to achieve net zero emissions.
Environmental sustainability is embedded in your business plan and sustainability goals are incorporated in your financial objectives.
Your practice has procedures in place to support your patients to manage health impacts from extreme weather events (heat, floods, bushfires) eg. by providing information on your website.

Does your practice promote sustainable action in the workplace?

	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
Green team or climate champions are appointed to provide leadership on sustainability.
Sustainability education is supported eg: - including sustainability as a standing item at practice meetings - discussing green initiatives at employee orientations
A statement has been developed affirming your practice’s commitment to take action on climate change.

Final scoring

Waste Management

Utilities

Prescribing and Testing

Operational Actions

Total Score

Badge Earned

Congratulations on completing the Green Practice Checklist. You will be sent an email with your score and some resources you may find helpful to improve environmental sustainability in your practice.

CESPHN is aware that practices will be at different stages in this journey and that’s OK. We are encouraging all practices to start the sustainability journey and we will provide you with all the support and guidance you need. Every action you take will help make a difference.

Suggestions or feedback?

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	Not yet started	Partially achieved	Completed	Not applicable
Appliances such as dishwashers have a high water‑efficiency rating.
The dishwasher is only run when it’s full.