The healthcare sector is responsible for 8.5% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. With sustainability an essential focus in healthcare, the industry must address its environmental impact. As climate change poses significant health risks and economic costs, healthcare organizations must lead in implementing greener practices to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Sustainability is a trending topic across the business landscape, and healthcare is no exception. The impacts of climate change have put global sustainability efforts at the forefront of business considerations and decisions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sustainability encompasses “everything that we need for our survival and well-being” and “depends either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.” Pursuing sustainability involves creating and maintaining conditions where humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, ensuring support for present and future generations. This approach underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into healthcare practices to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time.
What is old is new again
While the concept of sustainability feels new the initiative is not. Sustainable development was recognized as a critical concept at the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment[1] and multiple international conferences and summits have expanded on the value of green initiatives since.
The United Nations provide seven main drivers for climate change via emissions production: power generation, manufacturing of goods, cutting down forests, transportation, food production, powering buildings, and exorbitant consumption. A 2023 report from The World Health Organization (WHO) states that between 2030 and 2050 climate change is projected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths annually due to undernutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress. The direct impact of this to healthcare is estimated to be between $2-4 billion per year by 2030.
Double-edged sword
The healthcare industry both contributes to and cares for those impacted by climate change. In the United States, healthcare is responsible for 8.5% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making it critical for the sector to address and mitigate emissions. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol provides tools and standards to measure and manage emissions, categorizing GHGs as:
- Scope 1: Source emissions owned or directly controlled by the health sector, i.e., emissions from healthcare facilities such as on-site boilers and medical gases. These emissions account for ~7% of overall healthcare emissions.
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions via healthcare energy/electricity purchase account for ~11% of healthcare emissions.
- Scope 3: Indirect emissions from transportation of goods and services related to pharmaceutical and other medical products and devices, representing about 80% of overall healthcare emissions.
In 2022, the U.S. Health and Human Services launched the Health Sector Climate Pledge providing private-sector healthcare organizations a platform to commit to emissions reduction. This includes:
- Reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with progress reporting on the goal each year.
- Designate an executive-level lead for reducing emissions and conduct an inventory of Scope 3 within 6 months of signing the Pledge.
- Develop and execute a continuous operations climate resilience plan within 6 months of signing the Pledge, anticipating the community needs for those disproportionately at risk of climate-related harm.
As of April 2024, 193 organizations have signed the pledge.
And to make the green leap, accreditation bodies are incentivizing healthcare organizations. The Joint Commission provides a framework to assist with priority-setting as well as steps that can be taken to reduce waste and carbon footprint in their Sustainable Healthcare Certification program.
PDI’s sustainable future
PDI has committed to environmental and social responsibility, prioritizing safety, quality, and innovation to protect and enhance lives by protecting people, sustaining environments, and engaging and educating communities. PDI employs a lean manufacturing philosophy to continuously reduce waste across all stages of operations by using renewable solar electricity and partnering with suppliers who provide sustainable raw materials. The results are positive – fifty million recyclable canisters were produced in 2023 and a new packaging design has helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions and oil and water consumption.
Conclusion: A call to action
As we navigate the complexities of climate change and its impact on healthcare, we must prioritize sustainable practices within the industry. The healthcare sector has a unique dual role. By adopting greener practices, committing to emission reductions, and leveraging innovations in sustainability, healthcare organizations can lead the charge in creating a healthier planet. Together, we can ensure that our efforts today build a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.
For more information on PDI’s commitment to sustainability:
- Download PDI’s Corporate Sustainability Report or visit wearepdi.com.
- Download the PDI Healthcare Sustainability Resource.
- Visit the PDI Food Safety Sustainability Webpage.
[1] (Berniak-Woźny, Justyna, and Małgorzata Rataj. “Towards green and sustainable healthcare: a literature review and research agenda for green leadership in the healthcare sector.” International journal of environmental research and public health 20.2 (2023): 908.)
