Descarbonización en hospitales y centros de salud: Estrategia de Zer0 2030
He The health sector represents more than 4.4% of global net emissions, so it already needs decarbonization measures.. If it were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter on the planet. In a scenario without changes, medical greenhouse gases will triple. Without climate action in and in the health sector, its carbon footprint will increase significantly, even as countries meet their current climate commitments.
The health sector has the opportunity to become a climate leader by transitioning to zero emissions with an emphasis on strength and equity. It can also contribute to a broader social transformation and protect public health from climate change.
A systemic change in this domain requires that climate and disappointment in the health sector is promoted by all levels of government, international institutions, the private sector, and civil society. With this goal, the Canary Islands presented the Zer0 Health strategy.
Details on the decarbonization strategy
The Deputy Director of Sustainability and Ecological Transition of the Canary Health Service (SCS), Raúl Falcón, presented details on the Zer0 Health strategy to one of the discussion tables at the best practices event on postponement of the Galician Health Service (Sergas), who recently took place at the Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo.
It The project is part of the #ForTheClimate Health initiative whose goal is to promote the implementation of sustainable best practices in the health sector, promoting the reduction of carbon emissions and environmental care in hospitals, health centers, and among the different actors in the health field.
Falcón participated in the table The colloquium focused on regional environmental management and sustainability strategies in which Beatriz Piñiro-Lago, the health innovation and sustainability technician and coordinator of the circular economy strategy of Sergas, and Jordi Pujadas, the environmental technician and energy efficiency of the Catalan Health Institute, also participated.
During his speech, Raúl Falcón emphasized that All SCS hospitals are already certified with carbon footprint certifications according to ISO 14064-1: 2018, awarded by Aenor. In this way, the archipelago becomes the first autonomous community in the country to have all public hospitals certified in this environment.
Furthermore, he explained that once this accreditation is obtained, the public hospitals of the Canary Islands focus on developing projects aimed at Reducing the carbon footprint derived from their care activities to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. «Once the hospital’s emissions are measured and analyzed, it is necessary to set several specific short and medium-term goals to reduce the environmental impact that hospitals have,» he said.
Zer0 Health Strategy 2030
In his presentation, Raúl Falcón recalled that the Zer0 Health Strategy 2030 Reduces gas emissions with green health services by 2030 and, in this way, contributes to preventing the effects of climate change. This plan includes an objective to reduce net emissions recommending the use of technology and setting indicators to reduce waste, garbage, and plastics.
Furthermore, SCS is working on Reducing indirect emissions with the projection that the acquired energy is 100% renewable by 2030. It also works to reduce indirect emissions from the production and transportation of purchased goods and services, including the supply chain.
To achieve these postponement objectives, a wide range of strategic measures with a permanent vocation are established, among which the prioritization of environmental health is included. In this sense, an interdisciplinary working group was created, with the support of SCS management, to promote research in this field and engage professionals and the community.
