A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO₂), released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities or processes. It encompasses emissions from energy use, transportation, manufacturing, and waste management which are measured in units of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e). The health sector itself is responsible for a significant percentage of these emissions, with healthcare-related energy use, transport, and manufacturing making a notable contribution.
The sector’s environmental impact stems from energy-intensive hospital activities, the production and transportation of medical supplies, waste management, and the transportation of patients and staff. As it is estimated that up to 5.2% of total greenhouse gas emissions are produced by the healthcare sector, addressing these emissions is vital to align healthcare with sustainable development goals.
Key contributors to CO2 release within the healthcare sector include:
- The energy consumed by hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities
- Emissions from the manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of medical supplies
- Medical waste management, particularly hazardous and plastic waste
- Transportation, including patients, staff, and supply logistics, also adds significantly to the sector’s footprint.
How can healthcare facilities measure their carbon footprint?
Assessments often involve lifecycle analysis and carbon accounting methods to estimate these emissions and guide targeted strategies to mitigate the impact on the environment. To measure these emissions accurately, hospitals and health systems typically use Lifecycle Assessment methods which evaluate the environmental impact of products and services across their entire lifecycle, from production to disposal. This approach is particularly useful in healthcare to calculate the emissions from pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and the broader healthcare delivery system.
Other methods include using input-output models which aggregate economic activity data to estimate emissions related to various sectors within healthcare. Some institutions also use sector-specific guidelines such as the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol to measure emissions across Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect energy-related), and Scope 3 (supply chain) activities.
Combining these methods helps to create a comprehensive overview of the carbon impact of the healthcare sector and helps to identify major emission sources across the supply chain, such as the production of medical equipment or the energy consumed by healthcare facilities.
Carbon emission sources in the healthcare sector
Carbon emissions in healthcare primarily arise from energy-intensive activities in hospitals and clinics that rely on significant amounts of electricity, heating, and cooling. The production, transportation, and disposal of medical supplies, including pharmaceuticals and single-use items, further add to the sector’s carbon footprint.
The medical supply chain’s carbon footprint also encompasses emissions generated during the production, transportation, use, and disposal of medical products.
The healthcare sector produces a range of greenhouse gases, not just the carbon dioxide (CO₂) that is generated from energy consumption in facilities and transportation activities.
- Methane (CH₄) is also emitted during the decomposition of organic waste in landfills and from some energy generation processes.
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O), another potent greenhouse gas, can arise from waste incineration and the production of specific medical chemicals.
- Fluorinated gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are also released from refrigeration systems and certain medical equipment such as inhalers and anesthetic agents, contributing significantly to the sector’s carbon footprint.
The manufacturing processes of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and single-use items often rely on energy-intensive techniques and materials and therefore produce substantial levels of greenhouse gases. Transportation emissions arise from the distribution of these supplies globally, including air and road freight. The supply chain’s complexity amplifies its environmental impact and requires sustainable solutions at multiple stages.
So, what can be done to reduce the healthcare sector’s carbon footprint? Several strategies can be implemented to achieve this and include adopting energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting and renewable energy sources. Reducing the use of single-use medical products in favor of reusable alternatives can significantly cut emissions while implementing robust waste reduction and recycling programs can minimize waste incineration. In addition, encouraging telemedicine and virtual healthcare solutions can reduce the need for travel, further lowering transportation-related emissions. Finally, improving supply chain sustainability, such as sourcing locally and using eco-friendly materials, can help to minimize the carbon footprint across healthcare systems.
At the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, healthcare’s role in contributing to carbon emissions and its critical intersection with climate change was addressed more directly than ever before. Stakeholders focused on how healthcare systems can transition to renewable energy, improve supply chain sustainability, and create more sustainable healthcare delivery pathways although the evolution of any solution will be gradual.
A year earlier in Dubai, at COP28, a “Health Day” was held for the first time, which brought together over 140 countries and health leaders to sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health, aligning national policies with global climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement. Over $1 billion in financing was committed to support climate and health solutions. These commitments follow a growing recognition of the healthcare sector’s dual responsibility both to reduce its own carbon footprint and to ensure public health resilience against the impacts of climate change.
In conclusion, a great deal of attention is currently being focused on the healthcare carbon footprint issue, while there is an intriguing link between emissions and human health. One thing is certain: the solution to decarbonize healthcare by not accessing healthcare at all, is not an option for humanity.
