The environmental impact of healthcare: How much pollution do hospitals generate?

Sunday, Jan 18, 2026

Il Sole 24 Ore

Healthcare generates significant global greenhouse gas emissions, requiring urgent sustainable solutions and innovation.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

The healthcare sector contributes about 5% to global greenhouse gas emissions, with higher percentages noted in Europe, the United States, and China. Hospitals generate significant waste and consume vast amounts of energy daily. The World Health Organization states that without action, these emissions could reach six gigatonnes of CO2 annually by 2050. Data from Health Care Without Harm indicates that if healthcare were a state, it would be the fifth largest global emitter, with material production and management accounting for about 71% of hospital carbon footprint. Global efforts include commitments made at COP26 and initiatives like the European Green Deal, which promotes sustainable pharmaceuticals and digitalization. Some European hospitals are implementing innovations; for example, one in Catalonia reduced emissions by 91% through sustainability measures, while another in Barcelona introduced a project to limit the environmental impact of inhalers using an environmental database for prescribing medications.

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