The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) in cooperation with other local health authorities, has launched the "Carbon Footprint Analysis in UAE Hospitals", an innovative project aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the health sector.
The initiative was launched during a press conference held on the sidelines of Arab Health 2024, currently taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 29 to February 1. To be implemented in collaboration with various health authorities across the country, the project emphasizes the health sector's need to prioritize energy conservation, optimal resource utilization, and sustainable practices. This is to achieve a set of long-term environmental objectives consistent with the UAE's strategy, including reducing emissions, attaining climate neutrality by 2050, and meeting the country's environmental commitments as set out at COP28.
This project is one of MoHAP’s key initiatives aimed at crafting an integrated strategy to reduce carbon emissions within the health sector. It is aligned with the Ministry's ongoing commitment to implementing the most sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in healthcare. It also highlights the importance of analyzing and measuring carbon footprint and developing initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, along with a roadmap for minimizing the health sector's carbon footprint.
Global benchmarking
MoHAP stressed that the project involved collaboration with environmental experts, adherence to international sustainability best practices, and the employment of technology to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions in healthcare facilities. The Ministry noted that this cooperative approach guarantees commitment to the highest standards in greenhouse gas calculations and to frameworks such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the international standard ISO 14064:2018. These standards help accurately measure healthcare facilities' greenhouse gases in the country for 2022, ensuring precision in carbon footprint assessment and enabling global benchmarking.
Mitigating Environmental impact
The Ministry explained that the carbon footprint analysis undertaken at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Ajman (SKMC) and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi (SSMC) marks a significant stride in identifying and quantifying greenhouse gas emissions in UAE hospitals. The analysis revealed that the majority of emissions originated from indirect sources, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced energy efficiency and sustainable practices in healthcare to reduce environmental impacts.
Effective measures
HE Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, said, "The carbon footprint analysis project is a cornerstone of MoHAP's strategic initiatives, perfectly aligning with the nation's ambitious goal to reach climate neutrality by 2050. This project demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability and the development of health systems that are responsive to climate change challenges. By concentrating our efforts on reducing the carbon footprint of our healthcare facilities, we not only uphold but also reinforce the UAE's position as a pioneering force globally in implementing effective strategies to diminish the impact of climate change on public health."
"The Ministry is collaborating closely with relevant authorities to tackle the effects of climate change on public health. We will spare no effort reduce carbon emissions in healthcare facilities through continuous modernization, which includes the integration of renewable energy sources and water recycling systems. These measures are crucial in effectively reducing carbon emissions."
For her part, Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi, Director of the Department of Public Health and Prevention, added, "The carbon footprint analysis project is a clear demonstration of the Ministry's commitment to international sustainability best practices and the use of technology to lower emissions in healthcare facilities. This initiative is a forward-thinking step in enhancing healthcare service quality. Through carbon footprint analysis, we can assess the environmental impact and explore avenues for reducing emissions in the nation's hospitals. This project, which includes collaboration with environmental experts, will play a pivotal role in advancing our national efforts towards climate neutrality and improving the environmental footprint of the health sector."
Roadmap
Meanwhile, Saqr Alhemeiri, Director of Strategy and Future Department at the Ministry, said, "As part of our comprehensive strategy to reduce carbon emissions, the Ministry of Health and Prevention is undertaking a detailed carbon footprint analysis in hospitals. This initiative goes beyond merely assessing current emissions; it is a pivotal step in crafting a roadmap for managing greenhouse gas emissions in the nation's healthcare sector. This project, which is in line with our commitment to environmental sustainability, involves not only identifying and measuring emission levels but also developing an integrated national action plan to effectively manage and reduce the carbon footprint in the healthcare sector.”