Towards net zero emissions in healthcare
The changing climate is exposing our patients and communities to more frequent and intense extreme weather.
Health professionals are increasingly treating climate-related illnesses, and healthcare services are vulnerable to a range of risks, including an increase in patient demand and threats to infrastructure, workforce and supply chains.
Yet the healthcare sector itself is a significant contributor to climate change through its own carbon footprint, which is estimated to be 7% of Australia’s total carbon emissions.
DEA is calling on the healthcare sector to achieve:
– An interim emission reduction target of 80% by 2030.
– Net zero emissions by 2040.
A new report charts this course: “Net zero carbon emissions: responsibilities, pathways and opportunities for Australia’s healthcare sector”