Climate change has been proven to be responsible for significantly worsening existing health issues — as an estimated 250,00 additional deaths per year are now predicted between 2030 and 2050 as a consequence.
As ecological devastation, climate change and pollution continue to pose a global threat, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a serious warning and an extensive guide for healthcare facilities worldwide.
The new report, Safe, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities: an overview, advises that health administrators, policymakers and practitioners should swiftly adopt sustainable practices to guarantee the continued administering of quality care despite growing environmental challenges.
Healthcare facilities serve as the cornerstone of any reliable health system and are key to achieving universal health coverage. However, they are now facing unparalleled pressures. In order to provide the best care, these facilities must feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, including safe electricity, water, sanitation, waste management, and a wellfunded health workforce.
Unfortunately, the rapidly growing climate crisis directly threatens the effective functionality and management of the population’s health at many of the world’s facilities. The WHO report has highlighted that “climate change will continue to exacerbate disease burdens and intensify climate-related stressors such as extreme weather events”.
It has found that many healthcare facilities remain ill-equipped to accommodate these environmental risks, which could become significant obstacles to universal health coverage implementation.
According to the 2021 Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report by WHO and UNICEF, only 51 per cent of hospitals across the globe provided basic hygiene services. Health facilities in fragile contexts (classified by OECD) showcased further alarming statistics as it was reported that only approximately 25 per cent of these facilities had basic healthcare waste management services in place as of 2023.
Shining light on key elements essential for creating safe, climate-resilient, and environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities, the WHO overview offers actionable guidance on achieving these goals.
Building on the WHO’s guidance, a recently released report from the Young Executive Leaders (YEL) program — Green care: Implementing sustainable practices in healthcare facilities — underscores the pressing need to manage climate change pressures within the healthcare sector.
The document highlights that the healthcare industry produces approximately 5 per cent of the globe’s carbon emissions, and should take immediate action to better manage the sector’s impact on the environment. Authored by Omaira Valencia (Colombia), Maria Ribeiro da Cunha (Portugal), Amal Dahri (Morocco), Aban Gautam (Nepal), Abdur Rauf (Pakistan), and Aline Mittag (Germany), the YEL report emphasises the need for concrete, actionable strategies across healthcare facilities.
It identifies four key areas intrinsically linked to global warming: energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, and addressing climate change challenges for population health. Effective waste management has been proven to significantly lower operating costs for healthcare facilities.
According to a study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA, up to 25 per cent of these costs could potentially be reduced through the implementation of sustainable waste management programmes. Furthermore, a study conducted by JBACHS suggests that active recycling programmes could increase staff satisfaction and have a significant positive effect on the attitudes of healthcare workers.
Additionally, various case studies have illustrated the potential for impactful change. In the United States, Kaiser Permanente and Cleveland Clinic have reportedly achieved a 40 per cent diversion of waste from landfills with the successful implementation of comprehensive recycling, composting, and hazardous waste management programmes.
Through the use of advanced waste treatment technologies and vigilant segregation policies, Germany’s Freiburg University Hospital has effectively reduced its waste levels by 35 per cent.
On top of that, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá in Columbia has significantly cut the amount of waste transported to landfills by 25 per cent by properly educating staff and collaborating with local recycling organisations.
The YEL report urges healthcare facilities to conduct regular waste audits, train staff on regularly updated standard operating procedures, and engage in partnerships for the development of effective recycling and composting programmes.
Water conservation is another crucial area on which healthcare facilities can focus. USA’s Cleveland Clinic has reported a 30 per centreduction in water usage through innovative recycling systems and low-flow fixtures.
Rainwater harvesting for non-potable water needs has also proven to be another impactful way to conserve water, as showcased in the UK by Rochdale Infirmarywhich combined this practice with a rigorous leak detection program.
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in India has also implemented a zero-discharge system — which treats and reuses 100 per cent of its wastewater for non-potable purposes. The YEL report also highlights the importance of energy efficiency and the energy transition in the healthcare sector.
The key recommendations include fostering a corporate culture that favours energy-saving behaviours, investing in energy-efficient technologies and infrastructure, as well as making the switch to renewable energy sources for both electricity and heat.
A 2016 report from the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Energy of Baden-Württemberg has also shone light on the successful energy efficiency measures adopted in German healthcare facilities. This has included updating HVAC systems and the implementation of renewable energies like solar and biomass.
The WHO and YEL reports provide a clear roadmap for healthcare facilities to mitigate their environmental impact and enhance their resilience to climate change.
By implementing sustainable practices in waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, and population health, healthcare facilities can reduce their carbon footprint, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the health and wellbeing of the communities they serve.
As the global community faces unprecedented environmental challenges, the healthcare sector must now be responsible for ensuring a sustainable future for all.