Expert meeting on measuring greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental sustainability concerns in health care facilities
Overview
On 24 February 2021, WHO convened an Expert meeting on measuring greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental sustainability concerns in health care facilities consisting of 59 participants, including experts from several agencies and institutions, and staff from all WHO Regions.
During the meeting, experts were invited to present and discuss on the following objectives:
- Validate and/or refine WHO’s approach on Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare Facilities (HCFs)
- Get a high-level overview of the utility of the main approaches and tools on assessing carbon emissions and sustainability of HCFs
- Receive updates from leading partners on their initiatives
- Seek guidance on how WHO can contribute most effectively across awareness raising, norms and guidance, technical tools, capacity building and support to implementation
- Identify opportunities to raise awareness and political momentum, particularly in the context of the COP26
These objectives were achieved through discussions with experts in the field about current needs and advances in countries regarding measuring greenhouse gas emissions in HCFs and in health systems in general; the different methods and approaches in circulation and the feasibility of their implementation in different settings; and importantly, the advice WHO should give to countries, noting large differences in data availability and expertise between and within countries. This report summarizes the information presented in each of the sessions, and the key points discussed from the open discussions. The report also includes suggested next steps to be taken by WHO.
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WHO Initiative on Climate Resilient Health Systems
Initiative on Low Carbon Sustainable Health Systems
WHO's Country Support on Climate Change and Health