Climate change and health

The HSE Climate Action Strategy 2023 - 2050 (PDF, 1.4 MB, 64 pages) aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and provide healthcare that is environmentally and socially sustainable. We have obligations to achieve this under the government's climate action plans.

To show leadership and commitment we should integrate sustainability into our:

sustainable buildings and the green environment
transport and mobility
sustainable procurement
greener models of healthcare
water and waste management
adaptation and resilience (increasing resilience of critical infrastructure and resources)

More information on our climate action priority areas

To implement our strategy on reducing our carbon footprint we will collaborate and work together with:

staff
public sector colleagues
patients
partners
communities

Our strategy implementation involves embedding sustainability into our ways of working. We will provide support, guidance, tools, and track improvement measures to help achieve this.

Things you can do

At work

save energy
turn off non-essential equipment like computers, photocopiers and appliances over lunch breaks, nights and weekends if not needed
make best use of daylight and turn off lights in unused rooms and corridors when not needed and safe to do so
dress for building temperature, avoiding the need for personal heating or cooling appliances
print only when necessary using recycled FSC paper, printing double sided and in grey scale
think about having plants or developing a green space

On the move

avoid unnecessary travel
switch your mode of transport from cars to walking, cycling, or public transport
car pool with colleagues to reduce your car travel footprint
use the cycle to work scheme
use Teams for meetings where appropriate

Ordering materials or services

reduce, reuse, recycle
switch from using disposable to reusable products
share ideas for more sustainable products with your local management
consider the possibility of reducing or reusing your equipment
take into account the necessity, packaging, and environmental impact when requesting supplies

Water and waste

go plastic free and use reusable cups, glasses and dishes
if you must use disposable items ensure they are biodegradable or compostable
use a 'keep cup' or water bottle and ask for water dispensers to allow staff to fill their bottles
bin it right - check the bin label and separate waste appropriately
go binless in your office
every drop counts - be conscious of your water usage and only use what’s necessary
healthcare waste awareness - potential health hazards should be disposed of properly

Healthcare models

be an active promoter for healthy living
reuse clinical and medical products when safe to do so
consider environmental impact of medications
use online meetings and consultations

Adaptation and resilience

learn about the health impact of climate change on your service quality and safety
has your service been affected by severe weather events, for example, flooding, power loss, indoor overheating?
has your service adapted effectively to protect the health of your patients and staff
speak to colleagues about concerns and how to take positive action

Impacts of climate change on health

Climate change in Ireland is consistent with global patterns. The potential impacts of climate change on health are expected to become more severe. Health risks related to climate change vary based on location, but in Ireland the main changes are likely to be:

Rise in heatwave-related health impacts

This includes:

melanoma
non-melanoma skin cancers
damage to eyes
asthma attacks
COPD

Rise in flood and storm-related health impacts

This includes:

disruption to essential healthcare and emergency services
increased injuries and deaths
hypothermia
infectious diseases

Changes in patterns of food-borne disease

This includes

more parasites and enteric viruses in food
rotavirus infections

Rise in waterborne diseases

This includes more infections through water-borne organisms and pathogens such as cholera.

Rise in respiratory diseases

Respiratory diseases result in more premature deaths because of high levels of ozone exposure. There may be an increase in deaths because of toxic air pollution from wildfires. An increased number of infections associated with aeroallergens may occur.

Living in a more sustainable way and using resources wisely can help protect us from these issues.

Contact

climateandsustainability@hse.ie

National Health Sustainability Office