Digital Health for Climate Resilience

The key contributors to carbon emissions in healthcare systems are distributed across Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (purchased energy), and Scope 3 (supply chain) categories, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for the vast majority of the sector's total footprint . Healthcare accounts for approximately 4.4% of global net greenhouse gas emissions, a staggering figure that would rank the sector as the fifth-largest emitter if it were a country . Within Scope 1, direct emissions include anaesthetic gases with high global warming potentials released during surgery, on-site fossil fuel combustion for heating and power generation, refrigerant leaks from cooling systems, and fleet vehicle emissions. Scope 2 emissions come from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by healthcare facilities, with hospitals being particularly energy-intensive due to 24/7 operations and demanding requirements for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and medical equipment. Scope 3 supply chain emissions dominate the healthcare footprint, encompassing the embodied carbon in every purchased product—pharmaceuticals, medical devices, surgical equipment, food, and furnishings—from raw material extraction through manufacturing and transport to the hospital door. Pharmaceuticals and medical devices are the largest contributors within Scope 3 due to energy-intensive manufacturing processes, complex global supply chains, and the prevalence of single-use disposable products. The healthcare sector's commitment to decarbonization is essential, transforming and aligning its growth trajectory to achieve zero emissions while building resilience and meeting global health goals .