How Hospitals Contribute To Greenhouse Gas Emissions

As an industry, healthcare is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with more than 4 percent of emissions coming from the sector.

One of the reasons for these high GHG emissions is that hospitals are energy-intensive systems that require the use of special equipment and ventilation systems, 24/7 (life-saving equipment such as MRI, CT scans, and dialysis machines). Hospitals in the United States are the second most energy-efficient facilities, spending a total of $8.8 billion annually on energy. 

Decarbonization in the health sector is critical to global climate action. In summary, this could have a real impact on meeting the climate mitigation goals proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which estimated that global emissions should be reduced to a level equivalent to the temperature increase of only 1.5 degrees Celsius.

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Decarbonizing health care requires awareness, action, and investment by the hospital system, hospitals, health care providers, insurance companies, doctors, and patients in the health system.

Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the State of California adopted a mandatory climate reporting law, and in the past year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has adopted voluntary standards and certifications for weather reports.
 
As the IPCC, the World Health Organization, and others predict, climate change affects human health. In 2019, the death of a 9-year-old black girl in the UK from asthma related to air pollution was the first worldwide.

In 2021, an elderly Canadian woman received the first diagnosis of climate change-related health problems. Although Massachusetts was one of the first states in the United States to pass a law requiring air testing in urban areas with high levels of environmental pollution, other measures are needed.
 
According to CMS data, national health spending increased by 4.1 percent to $4.5 trillion in 2022, or $13,493 per person, and accounted for 17.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Healthcare contributes to a 3.4% increase in real GDP in 2023, along with non-durable goods, retail, durable goods, workers and professional services, science, and technology. 

According to the United States Census Bureau’s County business models, the healthcare and human services sector has the highest employment rate of all regions, with a projected growth of 14 percent between 2018 and 2028, due to an aging population have health care needs. Healthcare is a large sector that is ready to move faster than a cautious approach to join technology and other industries.
 
Healthcare leaders have two particularly important opportunities. In addition to ensuring good patient care, they can also integrate and drive sustainable practices in the environment, social, and governance (ESG) to promote progress in health as a business, reduce risk live for the system, and build a stop system.
 
Over the past decade, hospital systems have reduced some of their environmental impacts by reducing energy and resource consumption in the form of energy efficiency measures, high-efficiency buildings, and reducing medical and general waste.

In recent years, the interrelated sustainability topics of net zero carbon, water, environment, net zero, diversity, and transport management have been explored through ESG platforms such as compliance, voluntary reporting, and legislation business and business for non-profit, non-profit organizations, providers, and payers of health care. 

Healthcare support and ESG initiatives are gaining attention as an important role, as the complex challenge of creating and achieving long-term performance also becomes an opportunity for growth.

The current support work includes a change from being able to use a solution for temporary regression and a broad analysis of resources concerning the five goals of health care and their goal to treat patients. 

Healthcare leaders must follow a solution-focused, cost-effective approach to health and its environment to reduce short-term and long-term risks. Incorporating sustainability and ESG principles into healthcare projects brings a variety of benefits.

This partnership not only improves operational efficiency, but it attracts and retains top talent, improves the company’s reputation, and promotes patient, team, and community engagement. It improves regulatory compliance, improves risk management, and facilitates access to funds to ensure long-term returns on investment.

Adopting these principles promotes sustainability and long-term success in the competitive healthcare industry and opens opportunities for increased programmatic, business climate issues, and compliance and reporting requirements.
 
Future topics in the series will discuss, from a practitioner’s perspective, sustainable healthcare systems, climate resilience, and strengthening healthcare providers and advice on how to build a strong climate and wellness program wherever you are. Continues support on the ESG journey.