Environmental sustainability in healthcare: impacts of climate change, challenges and opportunities.
10.4103/singaporemedj.SMJ-2025-050
- Author:
Ethan Yi-Peng KOH
1
;
Wan Fen CHAN
1
;
Hoon Chin Steven LIM
2
;
Benita Kiat Tee TAN
3
;
Cherlyn Tze-Mae ONG
4
;
Prit Anand SINGH
1
;
Michelle Bee Hua TAN
1
;
Marcus Jin Hui SIM
5
;
Li Wen ONG
6
;
Helena TAN
7
;
Seow Yen TAN
8
;
Wesley Chik Han HUONG
9
;
Jonathan SEAH
9
;
Tiing Leong ANG
10
;
Jo-Anne YEO
1
Author Information
1. Department of Anaesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
3. Division of Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore.
4. Department of General Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
5. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
6. Department of Facilities Management, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
7. Department of Infrastructure and Engineering Sustainability, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
8. Department of Infectious Diseases, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
9. Division of Pharmacy, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
10. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Carbon emissions;
climate change;
green initiatives;
healthcare;
sustainability
- MeSH:
Humans;
Climate Change;
Delivery of Health Care;
Singapore;
Conservation of Natural Resources;
Sustainable Development;
Environment
- From:Singapore medical journal
2025;66(Suppl 1):S47-S56
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Environmental damage affects many aspects of healthcare, from extreme weather events to evolving population disease. Singapore's healthcare sector has the world's second highest healthcare emissions per capita, hampering the nation's pledge to reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In this review, we provide an overview of the impact environmental damage has on healthcare, including facilities, supply chain and human health, and examine measures to address healthcare's impact on the environment. Utilising the 'R's of sustainability - rethinking, reducing/refusing, reusing/repurposing/reprocessing, repairing, recycling and research - we have summarised the opportunities and challenges across medical disciplines. Awareness and advocacy to adopt strategies at institutional and individual levels is needed to revolutionise our environmental footprint and improve healthcare sustainability. By leveraging evidence from ongoing trials and integrating sustainable practices, our healthcare system can remain resilient against environment-driven challenges and evolving healthcare demands while minimising further impacts of environmental destruction.
