Rationale: Occupational therapists (OTs) are ideally positioned as leaders for environmental sustainability, human wellbeing, and planetary health. Educational programmes must urgently embed environmental sustainability and planetary health as core programme content in relation to human wellbeing today and to reduce future inter-generational climate-based occupational injustices.
Objectives:
-Describe a national initiative of educators committed to sharing good practice in embedding environmental sustainability in OT education
-Describe activities of the network’s themes: pedagogical mentorship; research; growing international collaboration
-Discuss challenges of balancing urgency and pragmatism, while capturing impact
-Share good practice regarding collaboration over competition to co-develop our shared professional toolbox
Approach: The Sustainability in Occupational Therapy Education (SOTER) Network aims to enhance the inclusion of planetary health, environmental sustainability and climate justice within OT education and research. This collegial network emphasises connection, collaboration for shared, tangible resource development, and mentorship. To this end, SOTER has established dedicated working groups for mentorship, research and growing international networks.
Practice Implications: Despite the potential emotional and practical challenges of a professional shift in mindset, OTs must adopt an environmental sustainability lens from the outset when developing their professional identities. Through influencing OT education, collaborations such as SOTER can help prepare future OTs to lead on this vital agenda.
Significance to the Occupational Therapy Profession: By cultivating a network of skilled OT professionals, who are invested in occupational justice and planetary health, networks such as SOTER can contribute to the positioning of OTs as key players in enhancing both environmental sustainability and equity in society.