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Health Care's Climate Footprint

According to a report by Health Care Without Harm, the global health care sector emits 2 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year in 2014.

By examining the value chain of the health care industry, we can see greenhouse gas is generated by upstream activities, on-site operational activities, and downstream activities.

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Supply Chain

Emission from manufacturing and transporting all products used in delivering health service

healthcare emission (supply chain)
healthcare emission (supply chain)

Catering

Emission from producing livestock and crops, changing land use, food processing and transporting products

healthcare emission (catering)

Travel

Emission from traveling of staff, patients and visitors in and out of health centres

healthcare emission (travel)

Sources of greenhouse gas emission in healthcare delivery

Hospital Fleet

Emission from vehicles owned by the hospital

healthcare emission (hospital fleet)

Purchased Energy

Emission from energy generation, used for HVAC, lighting, sterilization and powering medical devices

healthcare emission (energy)

Anaesthetic Gas

Emission from the use of anaesthetic gases, which are potent greenhouse gases

healthcare emission (anaesthetic gas)
healthcare emission (fossil fuel)

Fossil Fuel Use

Emission from on-site fossil fuel combustion for energy generation and cooking

healthcare emission (coolant)

Coolant

Emission from leakage of hydrofluorocarbons from refrigerators and air conditioning units

healthcare emission (inhaler)

Inhaler

Emission from metered dose inhalers, which uses hydrofluorocarbons as propellants

Waste

Emission from transport, treatment and disposal of wastes, including incineration

healthcare emission (waste)

Commissioned Services

Emission from other service providers, such as building maintenance, transportation services

healthcare emission (commissioned services)

Investment

Emission financed by investing in emission-intensive companies, such as fossil fuel companies

healthcare emission (investment)

Mapping our carbon footprint

This chart is from a report from Health Care Without Harm. It shows a breakdown of the global health care emission.

healthcare carbon footprint

Mapping our carbon footprint is of huge value because it allows areas of opportunities to be identified. Because the pattern varies a lot between different countries and institutions, it is important to map out individual organization's footprint, in order to tailor carbon reduction strategies.

 

Click here to see the report 'Delivering a Net Zero NHS', where a carbon footprint mapping of a health system was demonstrated.

Is there something we can do to reduce our carbon footprint?

Thankfully there is.

 

There is a multitude of solutions, and many had reaped outstanding results by putting them into action.

is there anything we can do to reduce our carbon footprint?
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