Sustainable design, construction and operation of our buildings can:
- reduce energy use and carbon emissions associated with the design and operation of our buildings
- reduce negative impacts on the environment
- improve the health and comfort for building occupants
We have a responsibility to reduce the environmental impact of our buildings. We also have a legal obligation to do so. This includes creating staff awareness to help us do this.
To the end of the 2023 reporting period, the HSE had achieved a 12.2% reduction in energy-related emissions. This contributes to the 2030 target of a 51% reduction against a 2016–2018 average baseline. Energy efficiency has improved by 20% compared to the 2009 baseline.
By improving Green Spaces healthcare sites can:
- protect and enhance the environment and biodiversity
- promote the health & wellbeing of patients, staff and local communities
- promote biodiversity
- act as a carbon sink
- support climate resilience and adaptation efforts
- improve physical and mental wellbeing of service users, staff, patients, and the wider community
HSE Capital and Estates
HSE Capital and Estates ensures our healthcare facilities and buildings are sustainable. This relates to design and operation.
This is achieved by:
- ensuring the development of sustainable facilities and buildings in both design and operation
- upgrading existing buildings to improve energy efficiency and sustainability
- using fuel-efficient technologies and smart energy management systems
- developing innovative ways of improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of healthcare estates
- providing technical support and advice to services
- providing staff energy awareness advice and training to services
Sustainable Infrastructure Office
HSE Capital and Estates Sustainable Infrastructure Office focus is on reducing energy & carbon emissions of our buildings. It also provides support and guidance in relation to improving green spaces and water conservation.
The office is responsible for implementing the actions of the HSE Infrastructure decarbonisation roadmap (PDF, size 4.6 MB, 43 pages) through the following programmes:
The office also supports
Contact the Sustainable Infrastructure Office: sustainable.infrastructure@hse.ie
Infrastructure Decarbonisation Roadmap
The Roadmap has been developed and incorporates all updated targets and requirements contained in the third annual update to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan (Climate Action Plan 2024 - CAP24).
The targets for the Public Sector are:
- a 51% absolute reduction in energy related Green House Gas emissions
- a 50% energy efficiency improvement by 2030
- to achieve net zero no later than 2050
The Roadmap outlines the work undertaken by the HSE to date and our approach to continuing to reduce carbon emissions from our buildings and their operation.
HSE Infrastructure decarbonisation roadmap (PDF, size 4.6 MB, 43 pages)
