On 1 September 2023, Hugh Montgomery, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London, was appointed as visiting professor on behalf of the Netherlands School of Public Health and Care Research. At the intitiative of Amsterdam Public Health, this appointment was made possible. This visiting professorship will be an integral part of the Amsterdam Center for Sustainable Healthcare within Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC).

The topic of his visiting professorship is the influence of climate change on our health and the reciprocal influence of our healthcare on the climate change, and thereby human health.

To kick things off in 2024, Professor Montgomery, in partnership with CaRe and its partners, plans to host a series of interactive sessions. These sessions are designed to facilitate close engagement with our public health researchers, offering support in their endeavors to conduct research more sustainably and to enhance their initiatives for sustainable public health and care research. The events will be announced through the newsletters of Care and its partners (APH, CAPHRI, Nivel, Radboud UMC).

In terms of climate and environment, Hugh co-chaired both the two Lancet Commissions on Human Health & Climate Change and the 5-year, 42-country Lancet Countdown on Health & Climate Change. He has written and lectured extensively on the subject, providing briefings to policymakers at both national and international levels. Additionally, he co-leads the UCL MSc module on climate and health. He was appointed London Leader by Greater London Authority’s Sustainable Development Commission. He has actively participated in numerous international 'COP' negotiations and is at the forefront of the children's climate education initiative known as 'Project Genie.' In 2020, he co-led the impactful ITV documentary on Floods and Climate Change. Most recently, in 2023, he founded the non-profit organization 'Real Zero' to facilitate global action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with healthcare as the primary mechanism. His substantial contributions earned him the Order of the British Empire in 2022, in recognition of his significant work in the field of climate change and its intersection with public health.

Hugh earned a first-class BSc (Cardioresp Physiol/ Neuropharmacology) in 1984, followed by his Medical Degree in 1987 and a research degree in 1997. He currently serves as a consultant Intensivist in London and is Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at UCL, where he also directs the Center for Human Health and Performance. With an impressive track record, he has published nearly six hundred scientific research articles and has won over eight (inter)national awards.

For further information please contact: duurzaamheid@amsterdamumc.nl