Pinnacle sets climate change position to protect community health

Pinnacle has released a climate change position statement, acknowledging the urgent threat climate change poses to health and wellbeing across our communities. Our board has developed this statement to guide our network in reducing climate impacts and strengthening resilience.

Pinnacle’s vision – Kia hauora te katoa, kia puaawai te katoa (Everyone healthy, everyone thriving) – recognises that health is deeply connected to the environment and that climate change exacerbates existing health inequities. Our statement highlights how different communities, especially Māori and Pasifika peoples, will face unique and disproportionate challenges due to climate change.

Pinnacle is committed to:

• collaborating with iwi, community organisations, Te Whatu Ora, and local and central government to build practical climate mitigation and emergency recovery strategies
• reducing our own environmental footprint while maintaining exceptional care
• supporting practices in our network to identify adaptive measures to climate-related health risks
• ensuring our approach honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the right of iwi and hapū to exercise rangatiratanga in managing climate risks to people, land, rivers, and taonga.

The health sector must act now to adapt to these challenges and protect our communities. We believe primary care has a central role in fostering resilience, reducing harm, and supporting wellbeing.

Read the full climate change position statement here.