A report confirms the UAE’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the healthcare sector by 20%
Dubai, December 11 / WAM / A recent specialized report confirmed the UAE’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions resulting from the healthcare sector by 20% by 2030 through the implementation of several leading hospitals that take energy-saving measures, recycling programs and waste reduction initiatives.
The report – issued by Arthur D. Little, a global management consulting firm – highlighted the growing environmental challenges and opportunities in the healthcare sector in the Middle East.
The report, titled “The Planet Will See You Now,” emphasized the urgent need for institutions operating in the healthcare sector to adopt sustainable practices to address the challenges resulting from carbon emissions, energy consumption, and waste, and recommended the importance of aligning sustainability strategies in the healthcare sector with national goals, such as the “UAE Strategy.” For climate neutrality 2050.
The Arthur D. Little report highlights pioneering efforts in green hospital design, waste reduction programs and supply chain optimization as vital steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare systems across the GCC.
The report indicated that by embracing innovation and sustainability, the healthcare sector in the UAE and Saudi Arabia is in a unique position to lead the region’s transformation towards a more sustainable future, as the healthcare sector is one of the largest consumers of energy and natural resources globally, and contributes 4.4% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. of global warming, which places the sector as the fifth largest source of emissions in the world. But in the Middle East it is estimated that emissions of healthcare facilities are higher than the global average.
The report stated that although the region benefits from modern healthcare infrastructure that incorporates advanced environmental building practices, the hot climate requires greater energy consumption for cooling, and medical waste management remains a major challenge.
Dr. Ali Alessandro Ayyash, Partner at Arthur D. Little Middle East, confirmed that the UAE and Saudi Arabia are pioneers in the field of sustainability in the healthcare sector due to the adoption of innovation and modern practices, pointing out that, however, there is still a lot to be done to achieve the ambitious national sustainability goals, as The region’s healthcare sector must accelerate its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and adopt sustainable practices.
He explained that sustainability constitutes a strategic necessity to control costs, improve patient outcomes, and meet international climate commitments, noting that hospitals that adopt energy efficiency and improve clinical workflow have significantly reduced operational costs.
For his part, Farhan Mirza, Director at Arthur D. Little Middle East, said that the health of our planet and human health are two sides of the same coin. By focusing on sustainability, healthcare systems in the Middle East can achieve positive outcomes for patients, reduce costs, and thus contribute to the future. More sustainable for the region.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
