Our publications play a critical role in influencing healthcare policy and raising awareness of pressing global issues. From the impact of climate change on human health to the environmental footprint of healthcare practices, we provide evidence-based insights that drive policy discussions and inspire action.

The BMJ has been raising awareness about the climate crisis since the 1990s, emphasising its impact on health through changing patterns
of disease, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity and disruption to healthcare.

More recently, The BMJ’s special climate issues have explored the intersection of climate and health, featuring research and perspectives from diverse regions. These publications highlight the urgent health challenges posed by climate change and call on healthcare professionals to take an active role in mitigation and adaptation—both in their clinical practice and at policy levels.

We actively collaborate with industry peers to promote sustainable practices and advocate for positive change. As members of the International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers (STM), The Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP), Association of Online Publishers (AOP), APP Group, and the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC), we work alongside leading organisations to shape the future of publishing, champion open access, and support environmental sustainability within the industry.

The UKHACC coordinated more than 200 health journals to collectively call on governments to take emergency action to tackle the “catastrophic harm to health” from climate change. The joint editorial was published simultaneously in 233 international titles, including The BMJ, the Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine, the East African Medical Journal, the Chinese Science Bulletin, the National Medical Journal of India, and the Medical Journal of Australia.

The BMJ also collaborated with the UKHACC to publish three joint editorials calling on world leaders to take emergency action. The editorials emphasised the health impacts of the climate emergency and the need for governments to do more and act faster to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health.

The editorial, Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health, makes a compelling call for urgent, collective global action in response to the environmental crisis. It stresses the need to keep global temperature increases below 1.5°C, halt the ongoing loss of biodiversity, and protect public health. Health professionals warn that the adverse health impacts of rising temperatures and environmental destruction are already being felt, with vulnerable populations bearing the greatest burden.

The editorial urges wealthier nations to take the lead in accelerating emissions reductions and to support low-income countries in building more resilient, sustainable systems. It calls for bold, immediate actions, akin to the global response to the covid-19 pandemic, to avert further environmental and health crises. Without decisive intervention, the authors warn, the world risks irreversible damage to both health and the environment.

Since publication in September 2021, the editorial has garnered significant global attention, referenced by 102 news outlets, 2,222 social media users, and 77 Mendeley readers, demonstrating broad public and academic interest. Cited in 332 academic papers, the article also influences policy, with references in key documents from organisations like the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the InterAcademy Partnership. Its impact on global discussions about climate change, biodiversity, and public health is evident, underscoring its crucial role in shaping current and future policy.

The BMJ editorial Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency (October 2023) argues that the climate and biodiversity crises must be addressed together as a single, urgent health issue. It highlights the profound impacts of environmental degradation on human health and calls for coordinated global action. The editorial has received significant attention, ranking in the top 5% of research outputs scored by Altmetric. It has been covered by 34 news outlets, cited in the World Bank’s 2024 policy paper, The Cost of Inaction: Quantifying the Impact of Climate Change on Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, and widely shared across social media platforms, reflecting its influence on public and academic discourse.

The BMJ editorial COP27 climate change conference: urgent action needed for Africa and the world has had a significant impact on global climate and health discourse, as evidenced by its citation in at least 242 publications, including The Lancet, and the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Its influence is particularly visible in the lead-up to COP29, with recent articles in The BMJ and The Lancet (October 2024) building on its argument that climate action cannot be delayed. These citations suggest that the editorial helped frame climate change as a pressing public health issue, particularly for Africa and other vulnerable regions.

Our work experience programme is a robust initiative that supports minority individuals and contributes to societal efforts to promote equity and inclusion. Participants in our programme gain practical insights into various workplace skills, enhance their career prospects, and build their interpersonal skills. Exposing
students to professional environments make these settings more accessible and less intimidating, fostering a sense of belonging.

The programme builds community partnerships with local schools, ensuring that it reaches those who need it most and maximises student development. Unlike traditional human resource efforts, our initiative reflects our deep commitment to addressing educational inequalities. It does this by providing valuable work experience in a way that also actively promotes social mobility. Our work experience programme helps to differentiate BMJ Group from other organisations, demonstrating our dedication to creating meaningful and lasting change.

Investing in these students’ potential paves the way for a more equitable society. We set a precedent for other organisations and showcase how targeted initiatives can drive broader social transformation.

We believe in creating opportunities that empower the next generation. That’s why we run dedicated initiatives to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them build confidence, develop key skills, and gain valuable insights into the world of work.

Through our Coaching Project, we provide Year 10 students with one-to-one coaching sessions designed to build their aspirations, develop career readiness, and enhance their confidence. Our team of experienced mentors works closely with students from disadvantaged backgrounds, offering guidance on goal setting, decision-making, and future career pathways.

Prioritising students on free school meals for work experience
We want to make our work experiences accessible to those most in need. By partnering with local schools, we can accommodate students on free school meals and give them priority access to our work experience programme. In 2024, we welcomed 30 students over three weeks, providing hands-on experience across different departments, from publishing and technology to marketing and editorial.

Through these initiatives, we can break down barriers and equip young people with the tools they need to thrive in their future careers.

Across the Group in all departments, we work together to make a positive impact in our communities through long-standing charity partnerships and team member volunteering. We regularly support the Euston Food Bank, donating essential items and funds while encouraging our employees to volunteer their time. We also contribute to other important causes, including Young Minds, a mental health charity for children and young people. To further empower our employees to give back, we offer two days of paid volunteering leave per year, enabling them to support causes that matter to them.