Health professionals and sustainability practitioners are invited to register for a new free online course on climate resilience and sustainable healthcare systems, designed to help strengthen the ability of health systems to respond to the growing impacts of climate change.
The course, titled “Strengthening Climate Resilience and Sustainability of Health Systems in the Western Pacific Region,” will run for 10 weeks from 20 August to 22 October 2026 and is open to health professionals, public health practitioners, hospital leaders, emergency responders, sustainability specialists and health system planners.
Participants who successfully complete the programme will have the opportunity to receive a Certificate of Participation.
About the Course
Climate change is creating unprecedented challenges for health systems worldwide. Increasing extreme weather events, changing disease patterns and rising operational pressures are affecting healthcare delivery and public health preparedness.
The Western Pacific Region is experiencing growing climate-related health risks, making it increasingly important for health systems to develop strategies that are resilient, sustainable and responsive to community needs.
This free virtual course aims to equip participants with practical knowledge and tools to strengthen health system resilience while promoting environmentally sustainable healthcare practices.
The programme is offered by the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) and the Western Pacific Network on Climate and Health Education (WPNCHE), with support from collaborative partners including The Lancet Countdown Oceania.
Course Details
Course Title: Strengthening Climate Resilience and Sustainability of Health Systems in the Western Pacific Region
Format: Online virtual course
Duration: 10 weeks
Dates: 20 August – 22 October 2026
Schedule: Thursdays, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Sydney time)
Cost: Free
Certificate: Certificate of Participation available for eligible participants
What Participants Will Learn
The course focuses on practical approaches that enable healthcare professionals and decision-makers to integrate climate resilience and sustainability into health systems.
Participants will learn how to:
Assess Climate Vulnerabilities in Health Systems
Participants will explore methods for identifying climate-related risks affecting healthcare infrastructure, services and communities.
Topics include:
- Understanding climate impacts on health systems
- Identifying vulnerabilities and risks
- Assessing preparedness for extreme weather events
- Strengthening emergency response capacity
Develop Equitable Climate Resilience Strategies
The programme will support participants in designing locally appropriate solutions that consider the needs of vulnerable populations.
Participants will learn approaches to:
- Build climate-resilient healthcare systems
- Develop community-focused adaptation strategies
- Promote equity in climate and health responses
- Integrate local knowledge into planning processes
Reduce Healthcare Environmental Footprints
Healthcare systems contribute significantly to environmental pressures, and the course will explore strategies for creating more sustainable healthcare operations.
Participants will gain insights into:
- Sustainable healthcare practices
- Reducing emissions within health facilities
- Improving resource efficiency
- Supporting environmentally responsible healthcare delivery
Measure Health Benefits of Sustainability Initiatives
The course will examine how sustainability actions can improve health outcomes while reducing environmental impacts.
Participants will learn how to:
- Evaluate sustainability programmes
- Measure health co-benefits
- Communicate the impact of climate-health initiatives
- Use evidence to support decision-making
Strengthen Climate and Health Leadership
The course will also focus on leadership skills required to advance climate action within healthcare organisations.
Participants will explore:
- Climate leadership approaches
- Collaboration across sectors
- Building support for sustainability initiatives
- Communicating climate-health priorities
Who Should Apply?
The course is designed for professionals working across health, climate and sustainability sectors, including:
- Healthcare professionals
- Public health practitioners
- Hospital administrators and leaders
- Emergency response professionals
- Health system planners
- Sustainability officers
- Climate and health researchers
- Policy professionals
- Healthcare educators
Professionals interested in improving climate preparedness and sustainable healthcare delivery are encouraged to participate.
Why Join This Course?
Climate change is reshaping healthcare challenges globally. Health systems must adapt while reducing their contribution to environmental pressures.
This course provides participants with practical skills to:
- Improve climate resilience in healthcare settings
- Understand climate-related health risks
- Develop sustainable health strategies
- Connect climate action with better health outcomes
- Build leadership capacity for climate-health transformation
The knowledge gained can support professionals working in hospitals, government agencies, research institutions, NGOs and public health programmes.
Course Partners
The course is developed through collaboration between leading climate and health education organisations, including:
- Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE)
- Western Pacific Network on Climate and Health Education (WPNCHE)
- The Lancet Countdown Oceania
These partnerships bring together expertise from climate science, healthcare, public health and sustainability sectors.
How to Register
Registration is now open for interested participants.
Health professionals and organisations are encouraged to register early and share this opportunity with colleagues working in climate, health and sustainability fields.
This free online course provides an opportunity to build essential skills for creating stronger, more sustainable and climate-resilient health system.
