UHI joins global Planetary Health Alliance network
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has been officially welcomed as a member of the Planetary Health Alliance, joining a worldwide network of more than 550 universities, research institutes, NGOs and government organisations working to understand and address the connections between environmental change and human health.
The membership recognises UHI’s commitment to advancing planetary health through its university wide One Health strategy, which brings together research, education, innovation and partnership activity focused on environmental sustainability, ecosystem health and wellbeing. Across the partnership, UHI works with communities, healthcare providers, public bodies, industry and international collaborators to address challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution and sustainable healthcare.
As a member of the Planetary Health Alliance, UHI will be able to share expertise, learn from leading organisations around the world and develop new collaborations that strengthen planetary health research and practice locally, nationally and internationally.
Professor Stuart Gibb, Director of the Environmental Research Institute and Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange at UHI North, West and Hebrides, submitted the successful application for membership. He said:
“Joining the Planetary Health Alliance provides an exciting opportunity to work with colleagues from around the world who share a commitment to addressing the interconnected challenges facing human health, environmental sustainability and societal wellbeing. We look forward to learning from others, sharing our own experiences from the Highlands and Islands, and contributing to collective action that delivers meaningful benefits for both communities and ecosystems.”
One Health research takes a multidisciplinary approach that recognises the close links between human, animal, plant and environmental health. Research teams across the UHI partnership are tackling complex issues that emerge from these interconnected systems, from investigating the impacts of climate change on local ecosystems and studying the health of oceans, peatlands and waterways, to improving access to healthcare in rural and island communities.
UHI’s membership of the Planetary Health Alliance strengthens its role in a growing international movement dedicated to creating healthier, more sustainable futures for people and the planet.