Ecological footprint is one of the indicators used for sustainable development. Carbon footprint is a type of ecological footprint; It is defined as the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission that occurs at every stage of the life cycle of the product. It is divided into primary (direct) and secondary (indirect). One of the biggest reasons for increasing carbon emissions is fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and emit carbon emissions when burned. In addition, greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere with the deterioration of natural ecosystems are also among the main factors. Scientists have attributed the density of greenhouse gases to the increase in the rate of CO2 in the air. For this reason, industrialization and related human activities play a leading role in carbon emissions.
Healthcare facilities are energy-intensive places and generate high rates of waste because they consume large amounts of resources.Hospital-based healthcare produces large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing the carbon footprint, waste and energy use of healthcare requires direct action.
According to the results of the research, the carbon footprint of health services in Australia accounted for 7% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions in 2014. The situation was similar in Japan, with greenhouse gas emissions from total health expenditures accounting for 4.6% of domestic emissions.
In recent years, the concept of "planetary health" has come to the fore, with an emphasis on the need to promote common benefits, improving global public health. However, there is a need for a comprehensive measurement of the negative environmental effects of increasing health expenditures within the scope of "Planet Health" and "Environmental Sustainability". In terms of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), which cause global warming, the health system in each country has a significant impact, but there seems to be a general lack of information on this subject and researches are continuing to address this lack of information.
It should not be forgotten that the hospitals of the future may have significant impacts on climate change by both reducing their own carbon footprints and affecting the individuals in the communities they serve.
Res.Asst. Gözde Tetik
Healthcare Management
