Context
Driven by the concerning impact of climate change on health and the healthcare system, Austria’s Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection has launched a multi-pronged initiative. Recognising the healthcare sector’s significant contribution to the country’s carbon footprint, the initiative aims to empower healthcare facilities to become more climate-friendly.
This initiative, led by the Competence Centre Climate and Health at Austria’s national public health institute (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH), addresses a key challenge: the willingness of healthcare facilities to implement climate mitigation measures is often hindered by a lack of information and practical support.
Objectives
The initiative’s core project, ‘Consulting Climate-Friendly Healthcare Facilities’, provides a one-stop shop for healthcare facilities seeking to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Through expert consultations, participating facilities receive a comprehensive analysis of their current practices, identification of improvement opportunities and creation of a customised climate action plan. This plan considers various areas such as energy use, waste management and sustainable procurement, while also incorporating health-promoting aspects. The consultation process is divided into three phases, offering ongoing support throughout implementation and evaluation.
Implementation
The high participation in the pilot project, exceeding 300 facilities including 30 per cent of Austrian hospitals, demonstrates the strong interest in this initiative. To further expand its reach, the Competence Centre offers additional programmes. The ‘Climate Manager in Healthcare Facilities’ training programme equips healthcare personnel with the necessary expertise to champion climate action within their facilities. Furthermore, the ‘Best Practice Award Climate-Friendly Healthcare Facilities’ recognises and disseminates innovative climate mitigation projects across the sector. These efforts, combined with a planned ‘Good Practice Platform’ launching in 2024, will create a valuable knowledge base and inspire wider adoption of climate-friendly practices within Austria’s healthcare system.