Australia, UK, and US Join Forces to Decarbonise Global Healthcare

Australia’s healthcare sector aims for net zero in global health revolution.

A health worker prepares a vaccine for clients in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 1, 2021. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The Australian government has signed a public statement with the U.S. and the UK emphasising cooperation to decarbonise global healthcare supply chains, reinforcing national health and climate objectives.

The signing follows the launch of Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy at the 28th United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai on December 3, 2023.

The joint efforts include aligning green healthcare procurement practices, acquiring supplier information on carbon emissions, and setting goals for emissions reduction. Notably, countries such as Ireland and Norway have also signed the statement.

The commitment will focus on addressing the impacts of climate change on citizen health and well-being, therefore building a sustainable, high-quality, and net zero health system.

“From extreme heat to more frequent bushfires, climate change is forever changing our environment and how we live. Australia needs a health system that is prepared for these challenges,” states Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the UK National Health Service welcomed the Australian government’s participation in jointly reducing carbon emissions.

“The NHS net-zero supplier roadmap outlines the changes we’re introducing to help suppliers align with our net-zero ambition, and we welcome work with colleagues in the USA, Australia, and other countries to consider their own engagement with suppliers on this important issue,” NHS England Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Gormley said.

“This type of cooperation is critical to accelerating our efforts to reduce the significant emissions associated with the health sector’s global supply chain,” U.S. DHHS Director of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, John Balbus, said.

A recent report by University of Melbourne research fellows and professors noted that Australia’s healthcare sector produces 35.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions per year, placing it among the largest per capita emitters such as the U.S., Canada, and Switzerland.

“Healthcare professionals and students are well-placed to lead the charge to drive climate action. Clinicians are driven by evidence-based practice, have expertise in communication and research translation, have broad influence, and are respected messengers and educators,” the researchers said.

The researchers noted that a significant number of Australians experience eco-anxiety, specifically those with direct experiences of climate change events such as bushfires.

“Climate action from the healthcare sector can therefore reduce its environmental impact whilst mitigating the profound physical and mental health consequences of climate change,” the researchers emphasised.

“As healthcare professionals, it is our duty to protect and maintain health. We can do this by being strong advocates for climate action and getting ‘our own house in order.’”

Australian State Removes Common Anaesthetic in ‘Low Carbon’ Push

Last year, Western Australia’s Department of Health approved the immediate removal of desflurane anaesthesia from hospitals in the state as part of its mission to cut carbon footprint.

Desflurane is one of the most commonly used anaesthetic drugs in surgeries, and according to WA Health, it has 2,540 times the global warming potential (GWP) of carbon dioxide.

“When you consider the logistics involved in delivering care to people around our vast State, it is not surprising a considerable level of emissions are attributable to the health sector,” Dr. Robertson said.

“Clinical care, including pharmaceuticals, is responsible for a significant portion of the carbon emissions of the health sector.

“We need to do everything we can to reduce this footprint, and with clinicians, we’re looking at ground-breaking and practical ways to make our health system as low carbon as possible, while delivering high-quality care to patients.”