In an era where health meets environmental consciousness, sustainability is getting more and more important. A study revealed that the CO2 emissions from healthcare in the world’s largest economies account for about 5% of their national carbon footprints, this is a larger share than either aviation or shipping. 

Hospitals constitute a substantial portion of emissions within the healthcare industry. 64 % of energy consumption of all healthcare facilities is from large hospitals. To illustrate this further - one hospital bed in Germany requires more than twice the energy as an average household generating 64.4 tCO2e vs. 16.4 tCO2e, respectively. (Sources: MDPI; Universitätsklinikum Freiburg; Universitätsklinikum Freiburg; Our World in Data; Statista)

The primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions within hospitals' operations are predominantly situated within their supply chains, necessitating targeted efforts for successful hospital decarbonization. According to the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS), a significant portion of the carbon footprint, accounting for 62%, is attributed to the supply chain, while only 24% of the hospital's carbon footprint falls under their direct control. (Source: The lancet)

Sustainable hospitals demand innovative solutions to embrace eco-friendly practices, reduce waste, cut energy bills, and improve patient care. For instance, sustainable hospitals can achieve energy savings through efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and renewable energy sources. Additionally, sustainable hospitals often report higher patient satisfaction rates.  

What's more, legislative support, driven by both sustainability and cost advantages, is propelling the demand for sustainable hospitals. The NHS in the UK, for instance, is pioneering an ambitious plan to become the world's first Net Zero National Health Service by 2045, aiming for an 80% reduction by 2039, and has earned recognition from the WHO as a leader in sustainable healthcare. Meanwhile, the U.S. Health Sector Climate Pledge is actively promoting the transition to sustainable hospitals, targeting a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and net-zero hospitals by 2050, with 1,080 hospitals (15% of U.S. hospitals) already committed. This legislative pressure urges swift, cost-effective sustainable hospital initiatives to cut emissions. (Source: NHS England; HHS)

Siemens has previously implemented substantial solutions to enhance sustainability in the healthcare sector:

• One success story by Siemens is exemplified by the recent Pfizer facility in Germany achieving a 40% increase in energy efficiency through the integration of Siemens technology and services. (Pfizer).
• Siemens further enhanced energy efficiency at Taiwan's Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB) by introducing advanced controls for chilled water pumps and cooling water pumps, resulting in an impressive energy savings rate of 21.7%. (Taiwan Biotechnology Development Center). 
• Another notable success story occurred at the Reutte Hospital in Austria, where Siemens transformed Reutte into a sustainable hospital by renovating the heating system and using a photovoltaic system on the roof with target energy savings of more than €150,000 per year (Reutte).