At a time when the Earth itself is calling for care, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has responded with a powerful message: nurses have a vital role to play in healing not just people, but the planet we all share.

In its landmark brief, “Nursing for Planetary Health and Wellbeing”, the ICN invites the global nursing community to step into leadership, championing a future where environmental and human health are recognised as deeply interconnected.

The brief is more than a document; it is a call to action from a leading global body of nurses. It urges nurses everywhere to weave planetary health into the fabric of their practice, education, research, and advocacy – ensuring that the values of care, equity, and justice extend beyond the bedside to the ecosystems that sustain us all.

What is planetary health?

Planetary health is an interdisciplinary field of science and social movement that accentuates the interconnectedness of human health and health of the planet [1]. Central to the understanding of planetary health, is the notion that human health is contingent on the flourishing health of ecosystems [2].

Planetary health recognises that human disruptions to the environment, such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, have direct and indirect effects on health outcomes [1,2]. We are already seeing the effects of environmental degradation, and its impact on human health, particularly amongst vulnerable populations. As stated in the ICN’s brief:

“Populations that contribute the least to the degradation of the environment often feel the greatest impact of climate change, pollution and disrupted natural systems.” [3]

The brief refers to the Planetary Health Education framework, created by the Planetary Health Alliance, which aims to support health professionals in responding to today’s environmental and health challenges [4]. This framework which outlines five key domains. They include:

1. Interconnection within nature
2. The Anthropocene and health
3. Equity and social justice
4. Movement building and systems change
5. Systems thinking and complexity
   
   

Implemented into nursing education, these domains would help nurses and midwives understand not only what is happening to our planet, but how to respond in ways that promote both human and ecological wellbeing.

The ICN’s Vision for Nursing

Drawing from the ICN Code of Ethics, the brief reminds nurses of their duty to preserve and protect natural systems, to advocate for environmentally responsible practices, and to remain attuned to the health consequences of ecological degradation.

“Nurses collaborate and practice to preserve, sustain and protect the natural environment,” the Code states, “and are aware of the health consequences of environmental degradation, e.g. climate change. They advocate for initiatives that reduce environmentally harmful practices to promote health and well-being.” [5]

The ICN envisions nurses as trusted voices, equipped with the credibility, reach, and compassion to drive meaningful change within healthcare organisations, communities, and at policy tables. The brief outlines a suite of actions nurses can and must take:

1. Preparing communities to reduce environmental impacts and exposures.
2. Protecting health during disasters and climate-related emergencies.
3. Teaching adaptation strategies that foster resilience and wellbeing.
4. Leading efforts to ensure disaster preparedness includes equitable healthcare access.
5. Advocating for vulnerable populations who bear the brunt of environmental harms despite contributing the least to the crisis.
6. Driving decarbonisation initiatives within hospitals and clinics.
7. Partnering across disciplines and learning from Indigenous knowledge systems to shape more just and sustainable futures.
   
   

Why is this brief so pivotal?

Far from being a passive vision, the ICN’s call is groundbreaking. It recognises that the 28 million nurses worldwide, represent an untapped force for environmental and social transformation. Their proximity to individuals and communities, their grounding in systems thinking, and their professional values place them in a powerful position to advance planetary health from the ground up.

Why is this piece so groundbreaking?

1. It positions nurses and midwives as central contributors of solving global environmental challenges.
2. Rather than asking for planetary health to be a specialty of nursing, the ICN topic brief argues for planetary health to be embedded into all domains of nursing practice, for every nurse.
3. It encourages universities and nursing educators to include planetary health in nursing education.
4. It aligns nursing’s ethical responsibilities to climate action.
5. It supports the leadership of student and early career nurses as leaders of change.
6. It offers practical guidance for making healthcare more sustainable
   
   

Take home message

In a time marked by cascading ecological crises and growing health inequities, the ICN is sending a clear message: nurses are not just caregivers, they are change-makers, educators, and advocates for a liveable planet.

This isn’t just a professional challenge, it is the historic opportunity of our lifetime.

References

1. Planetary Health Alliance. What is Planetary Health? [Internet]. Boston: Planetary Health Alliance; [cited 2025 May 30]. Available from: https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/planetary-health
2. Whitmee S, Haines A, Beyrer C, Boltz F, Capon AG, De Souza Dias BF, et al. Safeguarding human health in the Anthropocene epoch: report of The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission on planetary health. Lancet. 2015 Nov 14;386(10007):1973–2028. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60901-1.
3. International Council of Nurses (ICN). Nursing for Planetary Health and Wellbeing [Internet]. Geneva: International Council of Nurses; 2025 May 28 [cited 2025 May 30]. Available from: https://www.icn.ch/news/icn-launches-new-topic-brief-underscoring-vital-role-nurses-protect-planet-human-health-and
4. Faerron Guzman C, Potter T, editors. Planetary health education framework [Internet]. Cambridge (MA): Planetary Health Alliance; 2021 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/education-framework

International Council of Nurses. The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses. Geneva: International Council of Nurses; 2021. p. 18. Available from: https://www.icn.ch/sites/default/files/2023-06/ICN_Code-ofEthics_EN_Web.pdf