Leading by Example

Creating sustainable business practices and reducing carbon emissions, the health sector can play a lead the way in mitigating climate change.

Seven elements of a climate-friendly hospital

• Energy efficiency
  Reduce hospital energy consumption and costs through efficiency and conservation measures.
• Green building design
  Build hospitals which are responsive to local climate conditions and optimised for reduced energy and resource demand.
• Alternative energy generation
  Produce and/or consume clean, renewable energy on-site to ensure reliable and resilient operation.
• Transport
  Use alternative fuels for hospital vehicle fleets. Encourage walking and cycling to the facility. Promote staff, patient and community use of public transport. Site healthcare buildings to minimise the need for staff and patient travel.
• Food
  Provide sustainably-grown local food for staff and patients.
• Waste
  Reduce, re-use, recycle, compost.
  Employ alternatives to waste incineration.
• Water
  Conserve water.
  Avoid bottled water when safe alternatives exist.