Sustainable buildings and green environment

The HSE has buildings and green spaces spread across approximately 2,500 sites and 4,500 buildings. Energy-related emissions from the health sector have a significant carbon footprint. Reducing these emissions is essential in achieving national energy and carbon reduction targets.

Green spaces can:

• promote biodiversity
• act as a carbon sink
• support climate resilience and adaptation efforts
• improve physical and mental wellbeing of service users, staff, patients, and the wider community

The HSE achieved a 9% reduction in energy-related emissions by 2021. Our new target is a 51% reduction by 2030.

Mobility and transport

Emissions from the HSE transport sector make up around 30% of the public sector's total green house gas emissions.

The transport sector must reduce emissions by 50% by 2030.

This will be achieved by:

• moving to zero or low emission vehicles
• better public transport
• increased use of public transport
• active travel (for example, walking and cycling)

The HSE will support this transition by:

• promoting active travel
• reducing the need to travel by promoting online meetings and consultations (where appropriate)
• using zero-emission vehicles, where available and operationally feasible

The HSE will work with stakeholders such as Zero Emission Vehicle Ireland to help decarbonise the transport sector.

Sustainable procurement

HSE's procurement unit, with a €4 billion annual spend, is instrumental in delivering climate action. It can influence environmental and social impact of products, both clinical and non-clinical, ensuring safe healthcare delivery.

Greener healthcare models

The HSE aims to safely deliver medical care and medicines with a reduced carbon footprint. Changing how we deliver care and collaborating with patients, suppliers, and partners will help us achieve this.

Emissions linked to medicines mainly happen during manufacturing and transportation. The HSE is committed to reducing emissions and supports Sláintecare Reform Programme priorities. These include:

• digital healthcare
• social prescribing (non-clinical community supports)
• patient care closer to home
• disease prevention

Water and waste

Using water efficiently and managing waste are key focus areas for health services.

Water

A reliable source of clean water is necessary to safeguard patients’ health and comfort.

Clean water in healthcare settings is essential for:

• cooking
• cleaning
• heating
• ventilation
• dialysis
• sterilisation
• pharmaceutical procedures

The HSE will follow best practice in wastewater management to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance in the environment.

Waste

Waste is produced in large quantities in healthcare settings. Waste products and used-clinical items are usually sent to landfill sites or burned. Landfilling and burning waste can release toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases.

Increased use of single-use plastics during the COVID-19 pandemic has made this problem worse over the past few years.

Climate resilience and adaptation to climate change

The focus of the global climate agenda is on reducing carbon emissions and minimising environmental harm.

Climate adaptation (adjusting to the rapidly increasing changes already happening) is also urgently needed.

Consequences of extreme weather include:

• air and water pollution
• diseases linked to climate change
• shortages of essential resources like food, water, and electricity

Rapid climate change raises the risk of vector-borne (such as between humans and animals) and water-borne diseases (from drinking contaminated water).

The HSE faces the following challenges in adapting to climate change:

• safeguarding public health from climate-related health impacts
• building resilience into human resources, operations, and critical infrastructure to ensure safe healthcare delivery in the face of climate change
• coping with higher demand for healthcare services and different patterns of demand