Reducing Healthcare’s Carbon Footprint: How Hospitals Can Lead the Way in Sustainability

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sanaz Bardbar, an MD–MPH student at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. She 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.

The healthcare sector is a significant contributor to the climate crisis. Current evidence estimates that healthcare systems account for approximately 4–5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with hospitals representing the largest share of this footprint.  

Hospitals are resource-intensive environments. Emissions come from energy consumption (heating, cooling, electricity), procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, transportation, and waste generation. Most healthcare emissions are indirect, linked to supply chains. As a result, there is a need for a systems-based approach for decarbonization.

One of the most impactful strategies is by improving energy efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Energy use accounts for a substantial proportion of hospital emissions, and interventions such as improving building design, upgrading insulation, and adhering to low-carbon energy systems can do immediate reductions.  Also prioritizing low-carbon medical products and reducing single-use items can be effective too.

The optimization of care delivery is of high value as well. Evidence suggests that reducing avoidable hospital admissions and length of stay could decrease hospital-related emissions. Strengthening primary care and preventive services not only improves health outcomes but also reduces dependence on high-emission hospital-based care. We should focus on efficiency, prevention, and equity.

Clinical practices are important. For instance, modifying anesthetic practices, decreasing unnecessary labs and tests, and reducing overtreatment can significantly lower emissions without affecting quality of care. Furthermore, waste reduction initiatives, such as those in operating rooms and laboratories, are important as well, considering their high material and energy consumption. 

Also, hospitals have ethical responsibility. As institutions believed in the principle of “do no harm,” they can model environmentally responsible practices and influence health system transformation.

In conclusion, hospitals can walk toward sustainable healthcare through integrated strategies targeting energy use, care delivery, and clinical practice. Addressing healthcare’s carbon footprint is not only an environmental responsibility but also a critical component of resilient, future-oriented health systems.

About the author

Sanaz Bardbar is an MD–MPH student at Tehran University of Medical Sciences with a strong focus on public health and health systems. She is currently serving as the IFMSA program coordinator for health systems. Sanaz has participated in multiple initiatives in health systems and global health. She is passionate about bridging policy, research, and practice, and is committed to advancing resilient, equitable, and sustainable healthcare systems.