Molly Matthews is the CEO of Sodexo’s U.S. Healthcare & Seniors divisions.
According to the butterfly effect, a small flutter in one corner of the globe can profoundly impact the opposite side of the world. Certainly, the climate—and climate health—underscores how each individual’s actions can make a significant difference, for better or for worse.
During a recent webinar discussing environmental sustainability hosted by my company in partnership with the National Center for Healthcare Leadership, leaders in environmental sustainability discussed how climate health equates to human health; we simply can’t expect a sick planet to house healthy people and vibrant communities. In response to this, healthcare organizations are increasingly prioritizing sustainability to establish a more resilient healthcare sector, paired with significant social and economic reward.
To that point, a recent report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that the healthcare industry is a major contributing factor to climate change, with hospitals being the second most energy-intensive commercial buildings in the U.S. due to their continual, all-weather operations; heating, cooling and ventilation requirements; and high-tech medical equipment requirements. Additionally, it was found that food comprises 12% of total healthcare sector greenhouse gas emissions.
Reducing Our Hospitals’ Carbon Footprint
Healthcare organizations have numerous opportunities to minimize their carbon footprint. So where is a good place to start?
One good first step is to measure your hospital’s greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring they align with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP). Because hospitals are energy-intensive facilities, it’s important to develop a good utility management program. Tracking market conditions to procure favorable rates, upgrading to energy-efficient equipment, and training and engaging site leaders in sustainable practices are just a few solutions that you can implement to reduce your facilities’ carbon emissions.
Reducing food waste also presents a significant opportunity for impact. About one-third of the world’s food supply goes unconsumed, leading to wasted land, resources and greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing strategies to minimize food loss—from production to consumption—can lead to substantial benefits. Aside from being ethically the right thing to do, it also makes sense from a cost-savings perspective.
To dig into attitudes and work toward actionable solutions, my company recently completed its first International Sustainable Food Barometer, in collaboration with Harris Interactive. Findings from the 2023 study highlight regional attitudes and factors that can drive us toward a more sustainable future, particularly as it pertains to dining. The study reveals encouraging trends: 72% of Americans view the shift toward sustainable eating as urgent, and 66% hold a positive perception of sustainable food.
However, there remains a significant gap between aspirations and actions. To help begin bridging this gap, consider practical first steps like offering plant-forward meals to patients; my own company has found dishes such as mushroom garden Bolognese and kabocha squash over rice to be surprisingly popular with patients. By reducing meat and dairy consumption and favoring plant-based foods, hospitals can contribute to efforts to curtail land clearing, fertilizer use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Conclusion
While this list doesn’t cover all actions that can benefit the environment within the health sector, starting with initiatives like measuring greenhouse gas emissions and reducing food waste could contribute positively to the “butterfly effect” I mentioned earlier. Even small changes can create a ripple effect toward a more sustainable future, not only within healthcare but also beyond.
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Read the full article here
