Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Australian Health Review Australian Health Review Society
Journal of the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > AH > AH14086
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 39(4)

Becoming environmentally sustainable in healthcare: an overview

Maggie Jamieson A C , Alison Wicks A and Tara Boulding B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Locked Bag 1, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Email: alison.wicks@canberra.edu.au

B Faculty of Education, Science, Technology & Mathematics, University of Canberra, Locked Bag 1, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Email: tara.boulding@canberra.edu.au

C Corresponding author. Email: maggie.jamieson@canberra.edu.au

Australian Health Review 39(4) 417-424 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH14086
Submitted: 2 June 2014  Accepted: 4 February 2015   Published: 20 April 2015

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of environmental sustainability in healthcare and highlights the need for a policy framework for action. Examples from overseas demonstrate what has effectively enabled mitigation of and adaptation to the threat of climate change. The need to overcome perceived limits and barriers to health professionals’ engagement in sustainable practice is noted. The scientific evidence recommends immediate action.

What is known about the topic? Climate change has negative impacts on human health. There are co-benefits in mitigating and adapting to climate change that will benefit both humans and health systems, increasing wellbeing, financial and health system efficiency. There is a need for health professionals to engage with sustainability. Australia’s health policy makers could learn useful lessons about how to be sustainable from the significant policy and legislation work occurring elsewhere.

What does this paper add? This paper reports on the context of and need for becoming sustainable in healthcare. It provides brief examples of what has occurred in other countries and advocates for a policy framework to support further action in Australia.

What are the implications for practitioners? The significance of this paper is that it notes the need for a consistent, whole-of-country approach to carbon reduction in many aspects of the healthcare system. From an increased preventative focus on population health, coupled with actions in patient care, and developing a whole-of-healthcare-system approach, benefits will be realised that serve to reduce carbon emission, thereby tackling the longer-term effects of climate change. This view is supported by the noted success of increasing sustainable health system actions in the United Kingdom National Health Service and elsewhere.

Additional keywords: sustainability, healthcare.


References

[1]  Grambsch A, Menne B. Adaptation and adaptive capacity in the public health context. In: McMichael AJ, Campbell-Lendrum DH, Corvalan CF, Ebi KL, Githeko A, Scheraga JD, et al, editors. Climate Change and Health: Risks and Responses. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003: 220–36.

[2]  International Panel on Climate Change. Climate Change 2007: the physical science basis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2007.

[3]  Haines A, Kovats RS, Campbell-Lendrum D, Corvalan C. Climate change and human health: impacts, vulnerability and public health. Public Health 2006; 120 585–96.
| Climate change and human health: impacts, vulnerability and public health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD28vgsFKhsA%3D%3D&md5=3e1faa2b6fbcbf87b90c06278f6dbbf3CAS | 16542689PubMed |

[4]  McMichael AJ, Woodruff RE, Hales S. Climate change and human health: present and future risks. Lancet 2006; 367 859–69.
| Climate change and human health: present and future risks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16530580PubMed |

[5]  McMichael A, Kovats S. Climate change and climate variability: adaptations to reduce adverse health impacts. Environ Monit Assess 2000; 61 49–64.
| Climate change and climate variability: adaptations to reduce adverse health impacts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[6]  International Panel on Climate Change. Climate change 2014: Synthesis Report. Geneva. Available at: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_LONGERREPORT_Corr2.pdf www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syn [verified 10 December 2014].

[7]  OBrien LV, Berry HL, Coleman C, Hanigan IC. Drought as a mental health exposure. Environ Res 2014; 131 181–7.
| Drought as a mental health exposure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXotFyjt7c%3D&md5=45bf5f4a300b61f41b3453639669fb9eCAS | 24727641PubMed |

[8]  The Lancet. Climate change and health – action please, not words. Lancet 2014; 384 1017

[9]  Costello A, Abbas M, Allen A, Ball S, Bell S, Bellamy R, Friel S, Groce N, Johnson A, Kett M, Lee M, Levy C, Maslin M, McCoy D, McGuire B, Montgomery H, Napier D, Pagel C, Patel J, de Oliveira JA, Redclift N, Rees H, Rogger D, Scott J, Stephenson J, Twigg J, Wolff J, Patterson C. Managing the health effects of climate change: Lancet and University College London Institute for Global Health Commission. Lancet 2009; 373 1693–733.
| 19447250PubMed |

[10]  McGain F, Naylor C. Environmental sustainability in hospitals: a systematic review and research agenda. J Health Services Res Policy 2014; 19 245–52.

[11]  Friel S, Marmot M, McMichael AJ. Global health equity and climate stabilisation: a common agenda. Lancet 2008; 372 1677–83.
| Global health equity and climate stabilisation: a common agenda.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18994666PubMed |

[12]  McMichael A, Montgomery H, Costello A. Health risks, present and future, from global climate change. BMJ 2012; 344 e1359
| Health risks, present and future, from global climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[13]  McMichael A. Globalization, climate change and human health. N Engl J Med 2013; 368 1335–43.
| Globalization, climate change and human health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXls1aktLs%3D&md5=f0ab12b16d06e3d4c43fa0473b76d41aCAS | 23550671PubMed |

[14]  Hughes L. Climate change and Australia: trends, projections and impacts. Austral Ecol 2003; 28 423–43.
| Climate change and Australia: trends, projections and impacts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[15]  Blashki G, McMichael T, Karoly DJ. Climate change and primary health care. Aust Fam Physician 2007; 36 986–9.
| 18075618PubMed |

[16]  Department of Environment. Kyoto Protocol 2013. Available at: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/international/negotiations/history-negotiations/kyoto-protocol [verified 17 January 2014].

[17]  Department of Environment. Repealing the carbon tax. Canberra: Department of the Environment; 2013. Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/cleaner-environment/clean-air/repealing-carbon-tax [verified 17 January 2014].

[18]  Department of Environment. The Government’s Direct Action Plan: Parliament of Australia; Canberra. 2013. Available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/Direct_Action_Plan [verified 17 January 2014].

[19]  McMichael A. Climate change: health risks mount while Nero fiddles. Med J Aust 2014; 200 507–8.
| Climate change: health risks mount while Nero fiddles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24835699PubMed |

[20]  McCartney G, Hanlon P. What can health professionals contribute to the challenge of sustainability? Public Health 2009; 123 761–4.
| What can health professionals contribute to the challenge of sustainability?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1MfgtVeltw%3D%3D&md5=0bee74a404eabe9ee69cdd6fca7da66dCAS | 19917509PubMed |

[21]  UK Department of Environment. Securing the future – delivering a sustainable development strategy. London: Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (HMSO); 2005.

[22]  Low Carbon Australia 2014. Final Annual Report of Low Carbon Australia 2013–14. Brisbane. Available at: http://www.cleanenergyfinancecorp.com.au/media/106763/lowcarbon-annual-report-2013-14_lr.pdf [verified February 2015].

[23]  Charlesworth KE, Madden DL, Capon AG. Environmentally sustainable health care: using an educational intervention to engage the public health medical workforce in Australia. NSW Public Health Bull 2013; 24 76–80.
| Environmentally sustainable health care: using an educational intervention to engage the public health medical workforce in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[24]  Pencheon D. Health services and climate change: what can be done? J Health Serv Res Policy 2009; 14 2–4.
| Health services and climate change: what can be done?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19103909PubMed |

[25]  Green EI, Blashki G, Berry HL, Harley D, Horton G, Hall G. Preparing Australian medical students for climate change. Aust Fam Physician 2009; 38 726–9.
| 19893803PubMed |

[26]  Frumkin H, Hess J, Luber G, Malilay J, McGeehin M. Climate change: the public health response. Am J Public Health 2008; 98 435–45.
| Climate change: the public health response.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18235058PubMed |

[27]  Diamond J. Collapse: how societies choose to fail or survive. London: Penguin; 2006.

[28]  McKee M, McMichael A. The Health of nations. BMJ 2008; 337 a2811
| The Health of nations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19074223PubMed |

[29]  Schroeder K, Thompson T, Frith K, Pencheon D. Sustainable healthcare. London: John Wiley and Sons; 2013.

[30]  Kovats RS, Menne B, McMichael AJ, Corvalan C, Bertollini R. Climate change and human health: impact and adaptation. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2000.

[31]  Pencheon D. Developing a sustainable health and care system: lessons for research and policy. J Health Serv Res Policy 2013; 8 93–4.

[32]  Coote A. What health services could do about climate change. BMJ 2006; 332 1343–4.
| What health services could do about climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16763225PubMed |

[33]  Savitz A. The triple bottom line. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 2006.

[34]  National Health Service Sustainable Development Unit (NHS SDU). Route map for sustainable health. Fulbourn: NHS SDU: 2011.

[35]  National Health Service Sustainable Development Unit (NHS SDU). What is sustainable health? NHS SDU; 2014. Available at: http://www.sduhealth.org.uk/sustainable-health/what-is-sustainable-health.aspx [verified 15 January 2014].

[36]  Bell E, Horton G, Blashki G, Seidel BM. Climate change: could it help develop ‘adaptive expertise’? Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract 2012; 17 211–24.
| Climate change: could it help develop ‘adaptive expertise’?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21063771PubMed |

[37]  Goodman B. The need for a ‘sustainability curriculum’ in nurse education. Nurse Educ Today 2011; 31 733–7.
| The need for a ‘sustainability curriculum’ in nurse education.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21232830PubMed |

[38]  Griffiths J, Rao M, Adshead F, Thorpe E. The health practitioner’s guide to climate change: diagnosis and cure. Abingdon: Routledge; 2009.

[39]  Glasziou P Moynihan R Richards T Godlee F . Too much medicine: too little care. BMJ 2013 347 f4247

[40]  World Health Organization (WHO). WHO conference on Health and Climate; 27–29 August 2014; Geneva, Switzerland.

[41]  United Nations 2014 Climate Change Summit Summary, Chair’s Summary. Available at: http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/2014/09/2014-climate-change-summary-chairs-summary/ [verified 2 March 2015].

[42]  Parry IW, Veung C, Heine D. How much carbon pricing is in countries own interest? The critical role of co-benefits. Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund; 2014. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2014/wp14174.pdf [verified 18 December 2014].

[43]  Charlesworth KE, Ray S, Head F, Pencheon D. Developing an environmentally sustainable NHS: outcomes of implementing an educational intervention on sustainable health care with UK public health registrars. NSW Public Health Bull 2012; 23 27–30.
| Developing an environmentally sustainable NHS: outcomes of implementing an educational intervention on sustainable health care with UK public health registrars.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[44]  Abbott A, Arnold M, Best J, Brockway P, Cosford DP, Coulson K, Edwards D, Francis S, Freathy S, French R, Garratt E, Goldsack D, Gregson C, Hall C, Holme L, Insall P, Kirkup B, Lockwood L, MacGregor R, Martin g, Mckay N, Reynolds J, Scally G, Service T, Taylor R, Wathey D, Whitehead L, Pencheon D, Cointet S, Brown J, Howley J, Tennison I, Greensmith H, Wright, S. Saving Carbon, Improving Health National Health Service, Carbon Reduction Strategy for England. Cambridge: National Health Service Sustainable Development Unit; 2009.

[45]  Naylor CJ, Appleby J. Sustainable health and social care. London: Kings Fund; 2012.

[46]  National Health Service Sustainable Development Unit (NHS SDU). Carbon Footprint update for NHS England 2012. Cambridge: NHS SDU; 2012.

[47]  Climate Change Act 2008 (c.27), House of Lords Hansard Vol.705 Col.1477, House of Commons Hansard Vol.485 Col.855. London: Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (HMSO); 26 November 2008.

[48]  Charlesworth KE, Madden DL, Capon AG, Engelhard S. Climate change, sustainability and health workshops for medical professionals evaluation report. Sydney: AFPHM; 2011, Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine. Available at: http://www.racp.edu.au/page/racp-faculties/australasian-faculty-of-public-health-medicine/news-and-events/reports/ [verified June 2014].

[49]  National Health Service Sustainable Development Unit. Case study: North Bristol NHS Trust. 2013 Available at: http://www.sdu.nhs.uk/publications-resources/case-studies.aspx [verified 20 January 2014].

[50]  National Health Service Sustainable Development Unit. Access to Addenbrooke’s – a travel plan. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust; 2012. Available at: http://www.sdu.nhs.uk/publications-resources/case-studies.aspx [verified 17 January 2014].

[51]  National Health Service (NHS) Sustainable Development Unit. Case study: Central Manchester NHS Trust. 2013. Available at: http://www.sdu.nhs.uk/publications-resources/case-studies.aspx [verified 30 May 2014].

[52]  National Health Service Sustainable Development Unit. Sustainability: Barts Health. 2013. Available at: http://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/about-us/sustainability/ [verified 21 January 2014].

[53]  Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. Green nephrology: reduce, re-use, recycle in the dialysis unit. Oxford: Green Nephrology; 2010. Available at: http://sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/sites/default/files/case_study_reduce_reuse_recycle_in_the_dialysis_unit_v1.0.pdf [verified 20 January 2014].

[54]  Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. 10 : 10 renal checklist. Oxford: Centre for Sustainable Healthcare; 2010. Available at: http://sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/1010-renal-checklist [verified 12 January 2014].

[55]  Healthier Hospitals Initiative. 2013 Milestone Report; 2013. Available at: http://healthierhospitals.org/sites/default/files/IMCE/msr_final_draft_post.pdf [verified 17 January 2014].

[56]  Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Climate change and public health. Atlanta: Center for Disease Control; 2009.

[57]  Hess JJ, Schramm PJ, Luber G. Public health and climate change adaptation at the federal level: one agency’s response to executive order 13514. Am J Public Health 2014; 104 e22–30.
| Public health and climate change adaptation at the federal level: one agency’s response to executive order 13514.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24432931PubMed |

[58]  Green G, Hospitals H. Energy saving and carbon reduction policies at the Taiwan National Cheng Kung University Hospital. 2013 Available at: http://greenhospitals.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/National-Cheng-Kung-University-Hospital-Taiwan-Energy.pdf [verified 17 January 2014].

[59]  Green G, Hospitals H. Greenhouse gas emissions reduction and availability for energy-saving practices in the special context of a hospital environment. 2013 Available at: http://greenhospitals.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Yonsei-University-Health-System-Korea-Energy.pdf [verified 17 January 2014].

[60]  Hanna L, Armstrong F. Annual report 2012–13. Climate and health alliance; 2013. Available at: http://caha.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/CAHA-Annual-Report-2012-2013-compressed.pdf [verified March 2015].

[61]  Climate and Health Alliance. Climate and Health Alliance Declaration. Melbourne: Climate and Health Alliance; 2010. Available at: http://caha.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Declaration_010111.pdf [verified 7 February 2014].

[62]  Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. Renal Unit, Royal Cornwall Hospital. Oxford: Centre for Sustainable Healthcare; 2011. Available at: http://sap.sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/royal-cornwall-hospital-renal-unit [verified 23 January 2014].

[63]  McCoy D, Montgomery H, Sabaratnam A, Godlee F. Climate change and human survival. BMJ 2014; 348 g2351
| Climate change and human survival.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24671985PubMed |

[64]  Atkinson S, Ingham J, Cheshire M, Went S. Defining quality and quality improvement. Clin Med 2010; 10 537–9.
| Defining quality and quality improvement.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21413472PubMed |

[65]  The Lancet. Climate change: how soon is now? Lancet 2014; 383 1693
| The Lancet. Climate change: how soon is now?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24835600PubMed |