Twelve Months, Twelve Actions: Empowering Primary Care for Planetary and Human Health
Johanna SOMMER, Martine BIDEAU and Arabelle RIEDER
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies the environmental crisis as the greatest health threat of the 21st century. While healthcare systems strive to adapt to climate impacts, they also contribute 5–6% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Family doctors are uniquely positioned to address environmental issues through the lens of health and to promote collective action. Yet many healthcare professionals lack practical, engaging tools to act and communicate effectively.This workshop aims to -share free, evidence-based educational materials developed by family doctors and pediatricians as part of the “12 Months – 12 Actions for Planetary and Human Health” campaign -to explore creative, participatory ways to use them in practice -to plan a personal action towards better planetary and human healthThe session will begin with a brief introduction to the health impacts of the environmental crisis and the specific role of primary care in promoting sustainable behaviours. Participants will then engage in an interactive card-based activity. Each card represents one of the twelve actions and highlights a practical behaviour with documented co-benefits for human and planetary health, such as sustainable diet, active transport, or low-carbon prescribing. Working in small groups, participants will sort and connect the cards, discuss implementation challenges, and identify actions most relevant to their local context. Facilitators will then present the full “12 Actions” toolkit, available in English, French, and German. Each group will select one realistic action to implement in their own practice and share their reflections with other participants. Schedule: Introduction and objectives (5 min); Planetary health context (10 min); Card-based activity (20 min); Toolkit presentation (10 min); Group reflection (10 min); Conclusions (5 min). Participants will gain practical ideas, freely accessible communication tools, and increased confidence to promote sustainable and equitable health practices. The workshop also supports the WONCA 2026 values of liberty, equality, and fraternity by fostering shared responsibility and collective engagement in planetary health.This session provides health professionals with actionable resources and interactive methods to integrate planetary health into daily practice, encouraging meaningful, achievable change for both human and environmental well-being. Keywords: planetary health, primary care, sustainable healthcare, health promotion
