The medical sector is the “the most carbon-intensive industry service sector in the industrialized world”, according to a research article by Health Affairs. Yet, we extend it a lot of grace since it’s for the good of humanity. However, with climate change now an imminent threat, researchers are looking to make this all-important sector more sustainable.
The world is quickly realizing the impending threat of the climate crisis and leaping to redress it. The Climate Pledge, the commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2040 and signed by 431 companies in 38 countries around the world, is proof. But how are we to truly combat climate change, if we don’t address one of the greatest contributors to the global carbon footprint? When pointing accusatory fingers, not many will lift towards the health sector because we are willing to absolve many of its flaws since, ultimately, it is saving lives that will, in the future, fix these mistakes. “We kind of let a lot slide in health research and practice because we’re trying to help people’s health,” echoes Talia Caplan, a research manager at Wellcome in London.
That is changing. Researchers recognize the Earth cannot afford delays and are pinpointing sources of pollution in research and practice. In August of 2023, Wellcome Trust, London, published a report of various sustainability initiatives that countries around the world could take to reduce the carbon footprint of their health sectors. The Wellcome report noted the practices already in place around the globe to reduce energy consumption and waste from the medical industry.
Innovations that are reducing the clinical carbon footprint.
Wellcome identified 146 sustainability initiatives, divided into 8 categories, according to application. Some of the groundbreaking initiatives included in the Report and already in place in some 16 countries around the world are:
- The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) that gauges the measure of sustainability-versus-quality of lab-based research.
- Standards or certification programs that recognize organizations for achieving assessed levels of sustainability.
- Green Algorithms; Online calculators that give an approximate measure of the CO2 released into the environment by computation.
These changes are small steps forward that combined can make big impacts. As Gwyneth A. Sullivan, MD, MS, lead study author at Rush University, Chicago said, “If we can come together just to think about what we are using, we can lower the amount of waste that we are producing overall, and reduce our emissions.” And given that a quarter of global clinical greenhouse gas emissions are produced by the US alone, and that 25% of the 14000 tons of clinical waste we produce daily is plastic, no effort should be deemed too insignificant.
Getting everyone on-broad
Among other things, the Wellcome report identified the crucial roles of higher tiers of the clinical hierarchy in this movement. At the United Nations Climate Conference, the US proudly announced that over 100 clinical organizations had signed the voluntary Health Sector Climate Pledge. They pledge to reduce emissions by 50% of the 2008 baseline levels by 2030. Such efforts are reliant on the voluntary efforts of researchers and practitioners and many are keen to implement more sustainable research and practice.
Better not only for the Environment but also for the Economy
A sustainable clinical sector doesn’t simply mean reducing the Carbon footprint. It also means reducing the costs and using fewer equipment and supplies. The implementation of these initiatives has reduced clinical spending. And, surprisingly, educating hospital staff on the disposal of waste has proven to be one of the greatest cost reducers.
In a stoke of genius, Wellcome also utilized the returns on their investments to fund their sustainability initiatives. With a little sacrifice, if clinical institutes invest in sustainable research, then they stand to reap long term benefit with potentially greater rewards. Investing in energy efficient equipment might require a hefty sum, but they will be carbon neutral for decades to come.
Carbon emissions might be driving us towards global catastrophe, but there are burgeoning innovations in all industries to achieve net zero emissions. But such innovations can only be beneficial when they’re implemented. For that, we must acknowledge and address all the areas where we fall short and work as one, united by the common desire to achieve sustainability.
