Health Care’s Carbon Footprint: Why Health Must Be Part of Australia’s Climate Plan
A recent article highlights that Australia’s healthcare sector contributes 7% of the nation’s carbon emissions, yet health is missing from Australia’s climate policies at COP26. Despite the significant impact of climate change on public health—driving heatwaves, bushfire smoke pollution, and increased infectious diseases—the federal government has yet to integrate health into its climate strategy. State-level initiatives exist, but a coordinated national approach is lacking. The report calls for urgent action to align health and climate goals, reduce emissions, and prioritize health in climate adaptation.
Key Points
- Healthcare’s Carbon Footprint: The healthcare sector contributes 7% of Australia’s carbon emissions, largely due to hospitals and pharmaceutical production.
- Climate-Health Link: Climate change drives health risks, including heat-related deaths, infectious diseases, and respiratory issues from bushfire smoke.
- Lack of National Strategy: Health is missing from Australia’s climate policies at COP26, leading to fragmented state-level efforts.
- Call for Action: Over 50 health groups have recommended deep emissions cuts, phasing out fossil fuels, and decarbonizing health care by 2035.
Summary
Australia’s healthcare sector is a significant contributor to national emissions, yet it remains excluded from federal climate policies. The absence of a coordinated national approach weakens efforts to adapt to climate change’s health impacts. The article calls for integrating health into climate policy, reducing healthcare emissions, and implementing strong climate-health adaptation plans to protect public health.
Based on an article published by The Conversation.
