Posted by Alumni from WEF
June 28, 2024
Whilst it often attracts less attention than other threats, the intersection of healthcare and the environment is becoming increasingly apparent. The health and care sector are facing a monumental challenge: addressing its significant impact on the climate whilst delivering high-quality care under often immense pressures. The sector's environmental impact is profound, if taken as a country, global healthcare would rank as the fifth largest global greenhouse gas emitter. This immense climate footprint arises from almost all aspects of delivery, including energy consumption, transportation, and medical product lifecycle emissions. For instance, the UK's NHS alone contributes approximately 4% of the country's total emissions, and NHS England has estimated that the manufacture, supply, and use of pharmaceuticals account for 25% of the NHS' total carbon footprint. As we grapple with the pressing realities of climate change, alongside budget and capacity constraints of health systems,... learn more