The healthcare sector is important for public health, but it also contributes significantly to global carbon emissions. In the United States, healthcare organizations make up about 8.5% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions. If healthcare were considered a separate country, it would be the fifth-largest carbon emitter in the world. Due to the challenges posed by climate change—recognized by experts as a major threat to public health—healthcare leaders are increasingly focusing on sustainability and resilience initiatives in their operations.
The healthcare sector covers a variety of services, including hospitals, outpatient facilities, pharmaceuticals, and long-term care. Emissions come from many sources, such as energy use in healthcare facilities, the production and transportation of medical supplies, and waste generation. Inhaled anesthetics alone account for about 5% of hospital emissions, indicating where operational changes could lead to environmental and cost benefits.
For example, Children’s Mercy Hospital could save about $170,000 each year by changing anesthetic gas flow rates. Gundersen Lutheran has reported annual energy savings of up to $1 million from energy efficiency measures. These examples show that improving resource use in healthcare can lower carbon footprints and provide financial savings in tight healthcare budgets.
In response to the need for climate action in healthcare, the CMS Innovation Center has launched the TEAM Decarbonization and Resilience Initiative. This program will start on January 1, 2026. It aims to monitor and report hospital carbon emissions over five years. The goal is to cut emissions by 50% by 2030 and aim for net-zero emissions by 2050. Participating hospitals will track emissions in four key areas: organizational, building energy, anesthetic gas, and transportation.
The necessity of this initiative is highlighted by projections from the World Health Organization (WHO), which suggests that climate change could lead to an additional 250,000 deaths annually by the 2030s. As the healthcare sector faces increased patient numbers from climate-related illnesses, the need for sustainable practices becomes clear. By incorporating decarbonization into their strategies, healthcare organizations can meet new regulations and also improve their ability to cope with climate-related disruptions.
Organizations like Practice Greenhealth play an important role in supporting sustainability in healthcare. Serving over 1,700 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada, Practice Greenhealth offers resources and tools for healthcare organizations that want to adopt sustainable practices. Their work links health outcomes and environmental quality, showing that better environmental conditions can help prevent many diseases, according to the WHO.
Additionally, the Biden-Harris Administration’s Health Sector Climate Pledge encourages healthcare organizations to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030. As of April 2024, more than 139 organizations representing 943 hospitals have signed this pledge, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for healthcare organizations to align their sustainability efforts with global initiatives. The SDGs highlight the connections between various goals, especially those focused on health and well-being (Goal 3) and clean water and sanitation (Goal 6). Integrating sustainability into healthcare practices is therefore both an operational consideration and a public health priority.
Healthcare leaders now see addressing climate change and sustainability as vital to their mission of providing quality care. The challenges posed by severe weather events and the demand for sustainable energy solutions impact service delivery and healthcare costs. Strategies that promote resilience—such as sustainable designs, energy-efficient technologies, and waste reduction—are essential for the future of healthcare operations.
Rapid technological advances offer healthcare organizations new opportunities to improve sustainability. AI and automation can contribute greatly to these efforts. Workflow automation boosts efficiency and precision, leading to lower resource use and emissions.
AI technologies can enhance various processes in healthcare, allowing administrators to optimize resource use. AI-powered systems can analyze energy patterns in real-time, enabling facilities to adjust their consumption quickly. Predictive analytics can help hospitals anticipate needs and make changes to reduce waste.
AI can also assist in supply chain management by tracking inventory, assessing supplier practices, and ensuring timely delivery of supplies. By using AI insights, healthcare facilities can choose suppliers who prioritize sustainable practices, extending their efforts beyond their immediate operations.
Additionally, automation supports patient management. By using AI for routine tasks like inquiries and scheduling, organizations can allow staff to focus on more critical duties. Simbo AI, which specializes in front-office automation services, illustrates how technology can enhance efficiency while lightening the administrative load on healthcare workers.
These advancements not only streamline healthcare delivery but also support broader sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions. AI and automation solutions can help healthcare leaders make operational changes that align with sustainability initiatives.
Collaboration is key to achieving sustainability goals in healthcare. Organizations need to partner with government bodies, non-profits, and private sector entities to create a comprehensive framework for action. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) plays a vital role in assessing the climate situation and providing recommendations based on research. Such partnerships enable organizations to draw on expertise from different sectors, enhancing the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives.
By integrating approaches that combine environmental health, innovative technology, and collaboration, healthcare organizations can work toward a sustainable future. The journey toward a decarbonized healthcare system requires a commitment to long-term objectives and an awareness of the links between health and environmental sustainability.
Effective waste management is essential for healthcare sustainability. Facilities generate a large amount of waste, including hazardous materials, plastics, and pharmaceutical byproducts. For instance, Sanofi aims to ensure that over 90% of its waste is reused, recycled, or recovered by 2025. This commitment demonstrates how sustainability initiatives can deliver significant environmental benefits and potentially lower operational costs.
Organizations should also prioritize eco-design by evaluating the environmental effects of their products. Sanofi plans to eco-design all new products by 2025, which will help reduce their ecological impact within their supply chain. These actions highlight the ability of healthcare organizations to influence sustainability practices among their suppliers.
As organizations answer the call for environmental responsibility, managing waste properly can diminish exposure to hazardous materials, cut disposal costs, and improve public health outcomes. Integrating eco-friendly policies will not only position healthcare organizations as leaders in sustainability but also enhance their reputation as responsible entities.
Healthcare administrators, owners, and IT managers can lead sustainability efforts that align environmental goals with organizational objectives. Focusing on operational efficiency and adopting innovative technologies like AI and automation are key components of this initiative. Building a culture that values sustainability can lead to better patient outcomes and strengthen overall operational resilience in light of climate change.
In conclusion, as healthcare organizations in the U.S. recognize their role in environmental health, integrating sustainability into their operational practices is essential. By adopting innovative decarbonization strategies and promoting partnerships across sectors, healthcare leaders can create a sustainable future that benefits both public health and the environment.
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