The Earth’s average surface temperature has undergone a massive shift. Compared to the temperature conditions in the late 19th century, it has become 2.65° F (1.47° C) warmer, as reported by NASA.

Now, owing to the Earth’s size and the oceans’ heat capacity, it takes massive amounts of heat energy to raise the average surface temperature. So, the above figures might sound trivial, but they reflect a substantial increase in accumulated heat. This has led to a global push towards sustainability across every sector, and healthcare is no exception. If you look at it closely, you’ll find a sudden traction in the concept of green hospitals, along with green healthcare facilities. But the real question is, can hospitals truly achieve 100% sustainability? 

Let’s explore this blog till the end, and learn in detail about the concept of green hospitals and the challenges of creating them.

The Environmental Footprint of Modern Hospitals

A hospital is considered as one of the most resource-intensive facilities. Why is it so?

Well, no other facility requires energy usage when compared to medical institutions! The HVAC systems run continuously, regardless of day or night, to regulate the internal temperature. Added to that, let’s not forget about the constant need for lighting to keep the space well-lit at all times. Plus, there are advanced and powerful medical devices like ECG machines, X-ray units, and MRI devices etc., that consume substantial power.

Most importantly, healthcare facilities are known for their high water consumption levels to carry out medical procedures and sanitation. Lastly, hospitals are also one of the top contenders for medical or pharmaceutical waste generation! These elements extensively contribute to huge carbon emissions, which have led to environmental pollution, along with significant climatic changes. These have long-term effects on both public health and our planet as well.

What Does a 100% Green Hospital Look Like?

green healthcare facilities

Now that you’re aware of how much carbon footprint a modern healthcare facility leaves behind, let’s elaborate on the concept of green hospitals.

The word ‘green’ has almost become a synonym for sustainability in 2025. In that context, a green hospital stands for a healthcare facility that makes use of sustainable design and construction methods for minimal environmental impact. The whole idea is to extend the concept of safety beyond the premises of the facility. Let’s take a closer look.

So, a 100% green hospital should ideally extract energy from renewable sources to power its overall functions. Hence, a healthcare facility, claiming to be sustainable, should use solar, wind, or geothermal energy sources for its operational needs and demands.

Next, the infrastructure of green healthcare facilities should be integrated with smart and energy-efficient elements. The usage of pure LED lights should be a standard procedure. On top of that, automation systems and top-notch insulation should also be integrated so as to reduce overall power consumption and loss of energy.

Above all, the construction and design of such facilities should be done with eco-friendly building materials. Along with that, the goal of the institution should be to achieve net-zero waste. Eco-friendly methods of medical waste disposal must be followed, and water recycling systems should be present to reduce wastage. That’s what a 100% green hospital would look like.

Global Success Stories: Hospitals Leading the Green Revolution

A handful of medical facilities around the world have already marked themselves as a sustainable healthcare system. Here are a few real-world examples of institutions that are leading the concept of the green revolution-

1. Gundersen Health System: USA

Gundersen Health System is becoming Emplify Health after its partnership with Bellin Health. Their adaptation of energy-efficient strategies and usage of cutting-edge technology has led to a saving of $5.7 million in energy costs! Most importantly, they have achieved carbon-neutral operations, which is a remarkable achievement in the healthcare sector.

2. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital: Singapore

The Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore has adopted a different way to achieve sustainability. Along with the integration of biophilic design elements, the institution also incorporates an energy-efficient design structure, which makes use of natural light and ventilation optimally. This leads to lower power consumption, which ultimately helps in reduced energy costs.

3. Chase Farm Hospital: UK

Another testament of the green revolution, the Chase Farm Hospital, based in U.K, has a BREEAM certification. BREEAM happens to be a renowned sustainability assessment method, which reflects that the institution uses energy-efficient systems and is built with sustainable materials.

These are some practical examples of sustainability in healthcare that are paving the way for more hospitals to adopt the green revolution.

Barriers to Sustainability in Healthcare and Green Healthcare Facilities

Sustainability in healthcare and the rise of green medical facilities is indeed a visionary move! However, there exist innumerable barriers that pose as strong hurdles to achieving this goal-

  • Financial constraints and high initial investment

Financial constraints are one of the major challenges in this quest. The entire transition to green technology requires a substantial upfront investment. Added to that, the cost of energy-efficient systems is also high. So, budget restrictions can slow down the overall progress effectively.

  • Infrastructural limitations

Many medical facilities are trying to integrate green healthcare facilities into their existing structures. This gives rise to infrastructural limitations, as the age-old buildings aren’t quite designed according to the modern sustainable standards. Therefore, upgrading the whole thing can be quite complicated and expensive as well.

  • Complex regulations and standards

Complexities in regulatory standards also stand in the way of hospitals aligning with the green revolution! How so?

Integration of green technologies is only possible when they adhere to the stringent safety protocols and regulations of the healthcare sector. Along with that, navigating the regulatory standards is in itself a mammoth task, which can take time.

  • Resistance to change

An institution’s resistance to change can also stand as a hurdle in this quest. The staff might get too comfortable with existing practices and might not be aware of sustainable practices. Their training and education might take up time and resources.

  • Limitations in sourcing green materials by supply chains

Above all, supply chain limitations might also be a factor of hindrance for hospitals from adopting sustainability. The availability of green construction materials might be limited. Or, their costs might also be much higher than those of traditional materials.

Hence, no matter how great the vision of sustainable medical facilities might be, the road to achieving it is filled with practical hindrances!

Green Innovations Powering the Transition

Despite all the hurdles, sustainable innovations are constantly striving to make their way into the mainstream. For instance, digital health plays a vital role in this journey. Facilities like telemedicine have reduced the need for patients to travel all the way for their checkups. This has led to a reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, the use of AI, IoT, and data analytics has helped optimize resource usage for maximum device efficiency.

Not just that, but eco-friendly innovations are being adopted by many medical facilities nowadays. For instance, sustainable sterilization techniques are on the rise, which use less water and consume less energy compared to the conventional ones. In fact, advanced HVAC systems are coming equipped with advanced filtration systems for less power consumption. Added to that, the adaptation of LED lighting systems also reduces energy usage and helps save on maintenance costs. These are a handful of examples of sustainable innovations in healthcare that are helping to drive the transition to a greener healthcare system.

The Role of Healthcare Workers and Administrators

No matter how hard you try, going sustainable isn’t a one-man show. Rather, it’s a team effort that requires the combined strength of allied healthcare professionals and administrators.

sustainable healthcare system

Allied healthcare professionals, like nurses and medical support staff, can actively help contribute to sustainable practices. The most subtle actions can add up to a better tomorrow. For instance, turning off the lights in an empty room helps save energy. Similarly, proper waste segregation before disposal is a great practice that can reduce the chances of environmental pollution. Along with these, using reusable medical supplies can also help decrease waste generation effectively.

However, these goals can only be achieved through proper sustainability training and awareness programs. Healthcare support staff need to understand that their little actions can have significant impacts in the long run. This is where education about the importance of sustainable health practices plays a pivotal role.

Hospital administrators working at the management level also need to invest in green technologies and create supportive policies to provide a clear direction. Such an approach helps foster a workplace ambience where everybody values environmental responsibility.

A Shift Towards a Greener Future

Finally, we would just like to say that environmental sustainability in healthcare is quite a complex thing to achieve in practice. Added to that, it comes with a host of advantages and limitations that require thorough evaluation.

On top of that, achieving complete sustainability, along with green healthcare facilities, is a long-term commitment. It requires the collective effort of medical practitioners, allied healthcare professionals, and administrators as well. Furthermore, innovative solutions are also necessary to overcome the existing hurdles and accelerate the whole transition process. The journey might be long enough, but every little step you take counts as a direct contribution towards a sustainable tomorrow!

So, are you an allied healthcare professional interested in contributing your share of industry insights for a greener tomorrow? Join MDForLives today, and be a part of a massive community of doctors and allied healthcare professionals. Participate in our paid medical surveys to share your valuable insights and get paid in real-time for your efforts!

FAQs
  • What is a green hospital?

A green hospital is a special kind of healthcare facility that has minimal impact on the environment. The main focus of such an institution is to optimize water and energy efficiency, reduce waste generation, and use sustainable materials for construction.

  • Why is sustainability important in hospitals?

Hospitals are one of those facilities that require substantial consumption of resources. Added to that, these facilities also contribute to waste generation, which eventually leads to environmental pollution. That’s why integration of sustainable practices in such facilities is crucial, as it helps save costs, enhance public health, and keeps our environment safe!

  • Can existing hospitals become green, or do they need to be rebuilt?

Existing hospitals might become green through repairs and integration of energy-efficient upgrades, and water conservation measures. However, if the existing construction is too old to fit modern technologies, the whole structure needs to be rebuilt!

  • Are green hospitals more expensive to build?

Yes, green hospitals are indeed more expensive to construct. That’s because sustainable technologies and materials have higher upfront costs, which can add up during the construction process. On the other hand, these expensive investments get adjusted when the long-term operational costs are saved!

  • What are some examples of green hospitals?

Some of the renowned green hospitals around the world are-
        – Gundersen Health System: USA
        – Khoo Teck Puat Hospital: Singapore
        – Chase Farm Hospital: UK
        – The California Pacific Medical Center