The healthcare industry plays a significant role in climate change, contributing 4.4% of global net emissions, which translates to 2 gigatons of carbon dioxide. This level of emissions is comparable to the annual greenhouse gas output of 514 coal-fired power plants. If the healthcare sector were a country, it would rank as the world’s fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, placing it alongside the most industrialized nations.
Given this substantial impact, it is imperative for the healthcare industry to undertake a major reduction in its carbon footprint. Addressing this issue is critical not only for slowing global warming but also for improving public health outcomes. The sector faces a crucial challenge: to align its operations with climate goals and enhance its role in combating climate change.
There is, however, significant potential for positive change. By taking prompt and coordinated action, the industry can make substantial progress. Effective strategies and collaborative efforts are key to achieving the climate targets set by international climate agreements. A united and proactive approach will be essential in reducing emissions and fostering a more sustainable and resilient healthcare system, ultimately benefiting both the planet and future generations.
To guide this transformation, here are some practical strategies that health systems can adopt to reach their emission reduction goals.
- Switch to Renewable Energy Sources: Transition to solar, wind, or geothermal energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Engage in power purchase agreements (PPAs) or join renewable energy consortia to secure a stable and sustainable energy supply.
- Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Systems: Retrofit facilities with energy-efficient lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Install LED lighting, high-efficiency HVAC units, and smart thermostats to minimize energy use.
- Invest in Building Management Systems: Implement advanced building management systems (BMS) that use real-time data to optimize energy consumption across various hospital functions, from lighting to temperature control.
- Optimize Medical Equipment Energy Use: Choose energy-efficient medical equipment and regularly maintain existing equipment to ensure it operates at peak efficiency. Engage in industry initiatives to drive improvements in the energy and material efficiency of medical devices.
- Promote Energy-Efficient Building Design: Incorporate sustainable building practices in new constructions and renovations, such as improved insulation, energy-efficient windows, and passive solar design, to reduce the overall energy demand.
Integrating these practices will enable hospitals to significantly cut their direct power consumption, reduce their carbon footprint, and support the development of a more sustainable healthcare system.
Reduce Indirect Emissions Through Sustainable Use of Materials and Circular Economy
A significant portion of global CO2 emissions (40-50%) is linked to the extraction, supply, and manufacture of materials, often referred to as “embedded carbon.” The healthcare sector, being a major consumer of resources, can substantially impact these emissions. By adopting circular economy practices and sustainable material use, healthcare providers can reduce their indirect carbon footprint. Here’s how:
- Implement Circular Economy Practices: Embrace circular economy principles by designing medical systems and devices for longevity, repairability, and recyclability. This approach minimizes waste and reduces the need for new raw materials, thus lowering embedded carbon emissions.
- Enhance Material Efficiency: Use materials more efficiently by optimizing designs and processes to reduce waste. For instance, selecting materials with lower carbon footprints or extending the lifespan of medical devices through upgrades and refurbishments can help cut emissions.
- Adopt Sustainable Procurement: Source materials and equipment from suppliers who prioritize sustainability and demonstrate a commitment to reducing their environmental impact. Evaluate products based on their entire lifecycle, including production, use, and disposal.
- Reduce Single-Use Items: Minimize the use of single-use medical products and opt for reusable alternatives wherever possible. This not only reduces waste but also decreases the demand for new materials, thereby lowering embedded carbon.
- Implement Product Take-Back Programs: Set up take-back programs to return used medical devices and equipment to manufacturers for recycling or proper disposal. This ensures that materials are managed sustainably at the end of their lifecycle.
Implementing these practices will enable healthcare providers to significantly diminish their indirect carbon emissions and promote a more sustainable and environmentally conscious healthcare system.
Engage the Supply Chain
Addressing direct emissions in the supply chain is crucial for comprehensive decarbonization. According to the European Union, the supply chain (Scope 3, which includes purchased goods and services) accounts for 71% of CO2 emissions. To effectively reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare, an end-to-end view of the value chain is essential. Here’s how healthcare providers can engage their supply chain to drive sustainability:
- Increase Supply Chain Transparency: Demand transparency from suppliers regarding their carbon emissions and environmental practices. This visibility helps identify high-impact areas and track progress towards sustainability goals.
- Integrate Sustainability into Procurement Policies: Make sustainability a core component of procurement policies. Ensure that purchasing decisions consider the environmental impact of products and services, favoring suppliers with strong sustainability practices.
- Establish Sustainability Criteria for Suppliers: Develop and implement criteria for evaluating suppliers based on their environmental performance and commitment to reducing carbon emissions. This includes assessing their adherence to science-based reduction targets.
- Incentivize Sustainable Practices: Offer incentives to suppliers who demonstrate concrete climate action. This could include improved payment terms or preferential contract terms for those committed to science-based reduction targets.
By engaging the supply chain through these actions, healthcare providers can effectively address the significant carbon emissions associated with purchased goods and services.
Radically Optimize Care Along Care Pathways
In addition to adopting sustainable energy and material practices, optimizing care pathways is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of healthcare. Patient journeys often involve numerous appointments and treatments, especially with the rise in co-morbidities among aging populations, which can strain both patients and the environment. Here’s how healthcare systems can radically optimize care pathways to achieve both patient and environmental benefits:
- Streamline Patient Journeys: Simplify and integrate care pathways to reduce the number of appointments and transitions between different specialists. Streamlined processes help minimize patient travel and the associated carbon footprint.
- Invest in Preventive Care: Prioritize preventive measures to reduce the incidence of serious health conditions. By focusing on early intervention and health promotion, the need for extensive treatments and frequent visits can be reduced.
- Enhance Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring: Leverage telemedicine and remote monitoring technologies to reduce the need for in-person visits. Virtual consultations and remote patient monitoring can cut down on travel-related emissions and improve care efficiency.
Imagine a healthcare sector that not only heals the sick but also helps save the planet—this vision is within reach if we act now to curb its significant carbon footprint. The time has come for healthcare providers to embrace transformative strategies that reduce emissions, from shifting to renewable energy and adopting circular economy practices to engaging supply chains and optimizing care pathways. Let’s turn the healthcare sector’s commitment to well-being into a legacy of environmental stewardship, proving that a healthier planet and healthier people are not just compatible but indispensable.
