Feeling the Heat: The Carbon Cost of Healthcare

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Muhammad Asghar, a fourth-year medical student who balances clinical training with a deep curiosity about the human mind and the systems that invariably shape our lives. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

As the climate crisis intensifies across the globe, an ironic truth has come to light: hospitals — institutions built to heal — are a significant yet often overlooked contributor to environmental degradation. It might come as a shock to many that health care is responsible for approximately 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If it were a country, it would be the fifth-largest emitter on the planet. Hospitals save millions of lives, but in the process, they are polluting the air that we breathe. 

The Problem

Hospitals operate 24/7 to provide critical health services. As a result, they consume massive amounts of energy and produce tons of plastic, chemical, and biomedical waste. Seventeen percent of these emissions stem from on-site energy use, but the real burden lies elsewhere: an overwhelming 71% of emissions are traced back to the health care supply chain, including pharmaceuticals, equipment, and other essential materials. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified this impact, with its reliance on disposable PPE and single-use items.

The Way Forward

To tackle this complex issue, the Greener Hospitals initiative must be implemented at all levels across the globe— from local clinics to international hospital networks. Solutions must aim to reduce emissions and waste generation simultaneously. Some key strategies include:

– Harnessing solar energy and green architecture to cut fossil fuel dependence.
– Sourcing materials locally and adopting reusable surgical tools (post-sterilisation) to lower supply chain emissions. 
– Improving waste management through segregation and recycling programs, especially in high-volume departments. 
– Expanding digital health infrastructure to reduce patient footfall — particularly for non-acute cases that can be managed remotely.

Inspiring Models

These changes are not hypothetical — they’re already working around the world. 
– Skåne University Hospital in Sweden cut its emissions by 30% within five years by embracing sustainable design and procurement practices. 
– The NHS in the UK is leading globally as the first national health system committed to net-zero emissions by 2045. 
– In the US, Kaiser Permanente became carbon neutral in 2020, showing that even large-scale health systems can commit to bold climate action.

A Global Call to Action

A multifaceted and pervasive program needs to be instated at an international level with the utmost urgency. Governments must formally include the health sector in national climate policies. Funding for hospital retrofitting should be prioritised through green bonds and international development aid. Health professionals must also be educated on the climate-health connection and trained to lead sustainable reform from within their systems.

At this moment in history, every country is feeling the heat — literally. Melting glaciers, declining groundwater levels, rising seas, and record-breaking summers all point to a shared reality: the climate crisis is here in force, and our health care systems must adapt. Greener hospitals are no longer a luxury or an ideal. In a collapsing world, healing must begin at the source — and that source is our hospitals.

About the author

Muhammad Asghar is a fourth-year medical student who balances clinical training with a deep curiosity about the human mind and the systems that invariably shape our lives. When not studying, he’s often found reading philosophy, psychology, or political theory—not out of obligation, but genuine interest. He supports causes such as ending child labour, combating sexual exploitation, and expanding access to education, particularly in regions where poverty, illiteracy, and lack of opportunity remain deeply entrenched. Coming from such a background himself, he understands that meaningful change requires more than slogans—it demands persistence, nuance, an iron will and uncomfortable honesty. Known for his sarcastic wit and thoughtful approach, Muhammad prefers questions to assumptions, and depth to decoration. He stays physically active, mentally engaged, and is quietly convinced that even small acts of clarity and compassion can move things forward.