February 5, 2011 - This 2009 draft discussion paper published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) is based on the WHO’s mandate from member states to develop “programmes ...
Sustainable Health Care

The Canberra Hospital expansion to be powered entirely by renewables. Source: Canberra Times
The carbon footprint of Australia’s healthcare sector is estimated at over 7% of Australia’s total emissions. While every sector needs to play its part to limit global warming and environmental degradation, the healthcare sector has an added responsibility (and opportunity) to lead mitigation of emissions and environmental impacts.
Guided by the principle, ‘first do no harm’ it is beholden on the healthcare sector to be part of the solution and urgently ‘get its own house in order.’
Of health care’s 7% contribution to Australian carbon emissions, hospitals are responsible for 44%, pharmaceuticals 19%, capital expenditure 8%, community and public health 6% and general practice 4%. Beyond carbon emissions, healthcare is a significant contributor to waste products and natural resource consumption, threatening our present and future health.
Doctors for the Environment Australia has been working for over a decade to address healthcare sector’s carbon footprint and environmental impact and to highlight the added health and financial co-benefits of healthcare sector action.
Net zero carbon emissions for the Australian healthcare sector
Our report outlines why the Australian healthcare sector has a responsibility to urgently reduce its carbon footprint and recommendations to achieve this.
MJA Insight+ published an article on this initiative.
Required emission reduction targets:
- An interim emission reduction target of 80% by 2030
- Net zero emissions by 2040
DEA and the Australian Medical Association have formally agreed to work together to advocate for, and support, a transition to environmentally sustainable practice within the health sector including a national Sustainable Healthcare Unit and net zero emissions by 2040.
Organisations that have endorsed healthcare emission reduction targets of 80% by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2040 can be found here.
An open letter to the Prime Minister in April 2021 included support for these emission reduction targets and a national Sustainable Healthcare Unit from numerous groups.
DEA National Sustainable Healthcare Unit Proposal
A national Sustainable Healthcare Unit (nSHU) (September 2021)
DEA supports the development of national Sustainable Healthcare Unit to coordinate environmentally sustainable initiatives in health care and reduce its carbon footprint.
It would: standardise and benchmark the measurement of carbon emissions; develop a road map for, and assist implementation of, emission reductions and sustainability best practices and; ensure successful implementation of sustainable healthcare initiatives at state, regional, health organisation / network, hospital and practice levels.
GreenCollege Guidelines
DEA and the AMA have developed the GreenCollege Guidelines document for medial colleges, specialities, societies, councils and associations to lead by example through incorporating changes to operations that will assist in transforming the healthcare sector to net zero emissions. Supporting organisations can be found here.
Sustainable Health Care Resources
Net Zero Emissions: Responsibilities, pathways and opportunities
Proposal for a National Sustainable Healthcare Unit
DEA: All Electric Hospital Guide
Podcasts
Net Zero Emissions for Australia’s healthcare sector (March 2021)
Sustainable menstrual products (December 2020)
Presentations and videos
Webinar recording: Climate Change and Sustainability: Leadership and Action from Australian Doctors, August 2022
Webinar recording: Climate Change and Sustainability: Leadership and Action from Australian Doctors, September 2021
Environmental Sustainability & Healthcare: What do health Professionals Need to Know?, July 2018
Other useful resources
Doctors for the Environment Sustain Health Facebook Page
NHS Progressing Towards Net-Zero Commitment
See more of our work on sustainable healthcare
Sustainable Hospitals – Response to Victorian Climate Change Green Paper
January 31, 2011 - Doctors for the Environment Australia has a “green hospitals group” and is taking an increasing interest in promoting action to reduce the carbon footprint of hospitals. Although the submission is ...
DEA Guide to Greening Your Hospital
January 31, 2011 - Download this pdf article using the link on your right.
Green Doctors – Anaesthetic Life
January 6, 2011 - The following article was authored by DEA Victorian chair Dr Eugenie Kayak. An earlier version first appeared in the Nov/Dec 2010 editions of Anaesthetic Life & Surgical Life – publications ...
Greening your Hospital: some useful sites for information
April 26, 2008 - Doctors for the Environment Australia has had many requests for help from members regarding sustainability in their hospitals. Most say that it is difficult to find sources of information. In ...