Building a Sustainable Healthcare Future: Why Decarbonising Care is a Quality Imperative

An Australian study ‘The current state of sustainable healthcare in Australia,’ has highlighted the progress Australian healthcare organisations have made in advancing sustainability, while identifying opportunities to embed sustainability and decarbonisation into clinical care.

The health of people and the health of the environment are deeply connected, and the way healthcare is designed and delivered today will influence the wellbeing of future generations. 

Verlis and colleagues (2024) reviewed sustainability initiatives from Australian healthcare providers governments, and professional organisations. Progress was highlighted through analysis of 294 documents and plans, however moving beyond sustainability initiatives towards meaningful decarbonisation of clinical care remains a critical opportunity. 

Sustainability and quality care are interconnected 

Healthcare is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 4–5% of global emissions and around 7% of Australia’s carbon emissions. Hospitals are particularly resource intensive, requiring substantial energy, infrastructure, transport, equipment, pharmaceuticals, and consumables. 

Many healthcare organisations have already taken important steps to reduce their environmental footprint. These include initiatives focused on: 

• Renewable energy and improved energy efficiency  

• Sustainable building design  

• Reducing waste and improving recycling pathways  

• Greener procurement practices  

• Sustainable transport options  

• Workforce education and leadership 

The review found that while hundreds of sustainability plans and initiatives exist, relatively few focus on reducing emissions associated with clinical care. 

Only a small proportion of identified initiatives specifically addressed clinical decarbonisation, highlighting an important gap in the journey towards net zero healthcare. 

Clinical care is where healthcare has its greatest influence. The decisions made every day by health professionals, including investigations, treatments, procedures, medications, equipment choices, and models of care. 

According to GGHH (2020), achieving sustainable healthcare requires consideration of questions such as: 

• Are we delivering care that provides the greatest benefit to patients while reducing unnecessary environmental impact?  

• Can we reduce low-value care, unnecessary variation and avoidable interventions that contribute to healthcare emissions?  

• Are we using resources, equipment and infrastructure efficiently to reduce waste and carbon emissions?  

• Can we redesign models of care to improve outcomes while reducing emissions and waste?  

• Are there safer, lower-carbon alternatives available for investigations, treatments and clinical practices?  

• Can care be delivered closer to where people live to improve access, efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of healthcare delivery?  

• How can we use data to measure sustainability outcomes, track progress and guide decarbonisation efforts?  

• Are sustainability and decarbonisation considerations embedded into healthcare planning, governance and decision-making? 

This is where sustainability connects directly with quality improvement. When healthcare systems reduce unnecessary variation, improve coordination, prevent avoidable illness, and minimise low-value care, they can improve patient outcomes while also reducing environmental impact. Our QI in Action spotlight highlights this approach, showcasing how Eastern Health reduced food waste, improved food service processes, and delivered a more sustainable model of care through collaboration, measurement, and continuous improvement.

Moving from individual initiatives to system-wide change 

Across Australia, many jurisdictions and healthcare organisations are developing sustainability strategies and climate action plans. The establishment of national and state-level sustainability initiatives such as the Net Zero Roadmap (2025-2030) provides an important opportunity for greater coordination, shared learning, and consistent approaches. 

Just as healthcare organisations monitor patient safety risks and quality indicators, environmental sustainability will increasingly need to become part of organisational accountability. 
 

Reference 

Healthcare without Harm. (2020). GGHH Webinar | Health care's climate footprint: Report findings and opportunities for action [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpC54mhBjDk 

Verlis K, Haddock R, Barratt A. (2024) The current state of sustainable healthcare in Australia. Australian Health Review 48, 489–496. https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24065