Sustainability in the Healthcare Sector: Healing People, Caring for the Planet
- INNOWO
- Sep 23
- 2 min read
The healthcare sector is responsible for 4–5% of global greenhouse gas emissions – more than the entire aviation or shipping industry. If it were a country, it would rank 5th among the world’s largest emitters. This is a huge challenge – but also a unique opportunity to introduce changes that will benefit both people and the planet.
Sustainability in the Healthcare Sector
With a growing population, shrinking natural resources, and the escalating impacts of climate change, sustainability is becoming a necessity rather than a choice. According to The Lancet Countdown report, climate change is the greatest health threat of the 21st century. At the same time, hospitals and healthcare systems will face rising costs linked to extreme weather events, infectious diseases, and challenges in accessing clean water.
The healthcare sector’s double role
On one hand, healthcare systems play a crucial role in improving health and saving lives. On the other, they have a significant environmental footprint through high energy and water consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. This creates a cycle of negative interdependence: medical activities contribute to the climate crisis, which in turn negatively affects human health.
But this double role is also a huge opportunity: the green transformation of the healthcare sector can deliver real benefits – for patients and for the planet.
✅ Why act?
• Cleaner air and a healthier environment directly improve public health.
• Reducing resource use and waste translates into operational savings and greater financial stability for healthcare facilities.
• Sustainability strengthens the resilience of healthcare systems against climate and economic crises.
Despite the scale of the challenge, only 16% of hospitals worldwide currently implement comprehensive sustainability strategies. We need faster, more ambitious action – and the healthcare sector, as a trusted public institution, has the potential to lead this change.
Join the conversation!
On 7 November 2025, we invite you to the conference “Sustainability in the Healthcare Sector”, organized as part of #CircularWeek2025. Together we’ll discuss solutions that support both healthcare and the climate – from green hospitals to innovations in waste management and digitalization of medical services.
👉 Be part of this transformation. Together we can heal not only people – but the planet too.
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