Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) and the Graduate School of Health Sciences, Niigata University conducted an online self-administered questionnaire survey of nursing professionals in Japan to gather opinions on climate change and health, sustainable health systems, and climate change policies. The survey was conducted from August 28 to August 31, 2024, and responses were collected from 1,200 nursing professionals working across Japan.

This preliminary report provides a summary of key opinions and findings on the challenges, feasibility, and educational needs for integrating climate change into nursing education and practice in Japan. In addition, this preliminary report aims to propose in response to public comment on the Model Core Curriculum for Nursing Education (Draft Revised Version for FY2024) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. A full report, including additional questions will be released in the future.

Four Key Findings

1. 72% of the responses indicated that climate change is an important issue for nursing professionals
   The top reasons for why climate change is an important issue included opinions such as “it is related to life and has a strong connection to the field of healthcare,” “it is necessary to address it for the sake of future generations,” and “the field of healthcare also has a negative impact on the environment.”
2. 80% of the responses indicated that they believe it is necessary for nursing professionals to learn about “climate change and health”
   The main reasons for the need to learn included opinions such as “it is a life issue that nurses need to be aware of,” “we need to better understand the negative impact of healthcare on the environment,” and “we believe it is necessary to take action in the future for the sake of the patients we care for and future generations.”
3. 84% of the responses by the nursing professionals indicated a willingness to learn about “climate change and health.”
   The top topics they would like to learn about included topics such as “the impact on health and related diseases,” “preparedness for emergencies such as extreme weather events,” and “practical methods for applying this knowledge in daily work.”
4. 69% of the respondents reported that outside of work, they provide health or medical information, advice, or support to those close to them, such as family, friends, and neighbors.