With the COP27 UN climate change conference taking place in Sharm el-Sheikh in November, the issue of climate change is likely to be at the forefront of most people’s thoughts. It is encouraging to see that the idea of sustainable or ‘green’ healthcare is starting to gain traction in the healthcare arena and becoming increasingly prevalent in discussions around the future of healthcare. In previous climate change talks much of the focus has been on mitigation of climate change, or strategies to prevent climate change, like reducing CO2 emissions. However, initiatives – and funding – to enhance adaptation to climate change have, to an extent, been left to the wayside and must now be brought back into core discussions and given more prominence and funding. This is particularly pertinent for the healthcare sector that now needs to put in place adaptation measures that will enable them to ward off some of the more devastating effects we can expect from climate change. This will of course vary from region to region, but can include storm damage from floods and hurricane force winds, supply chain disruption and increased costs for the provision of healthcare, and, of course, efficient and sustainable energy consumption.

Equity and a ‘just transition’ are also expected to feature prominently at the talks, particularly from delegations from less developed economies who are seeking funding to implement adaptation measures.

WHO in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust and partners will host the Health Pavilion at COP27 where they plan to convene the global health community and its partners to “ensure health and equity are placed at the centre of the climate negotiations”. Events will be live streamed from the Health Pavilion. See the programme here: https://bit.ly/3Uj12Xm

The issue of climate change will also feature at Medica, the world’s largest medical exhibition to be held in Dusseldorf in November. The organisers point out that sustainable healthcare will be a key feature of the IT Forum at the event. Here, via a number of presentations and a panel discussion, they will look at how IT can be used to improve sustainability in healthcare. It is clear that technology can boost resilience and efficiency. Telemedicine and remote monitoring, for example, can both reduce emissions and continue the delivery of care during a climate crisis.

There are many benefits for healthcare organisations that embrace both mitigation and adaption measures early on, and who proactively measure and report on their climate performance. They will be more likely, for example, to have greater access to capital with better terms and greater trust from lenders. They will also be more attractive to sought after talent, giving them a competitive advantage.