As we shift our design focus to address pressing climate challenges, consider this startling fact: healthcare alone accounts for 5% of global carbon emissions. The urgency to reduce healthcare’s environmental impact and align with net-zero emission targets has never been greater.

In this episode of our Anticipate Podcast, Alejandro Falcón, Technical Director and Healthcare Lead at WSP Middle East, is joined by Mike Barns, Programme Director – Architecture, at WSP in New Zealand. Together, they explore the transformation required to future-proof existing healthcare assets and propose a holistic approach to reducing the carbon footprint of healthcare design and construction.

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Discussion Points

00:00 – Introduction to Net Zero in Healthcare

04:20 – Challenges of Carbon Emissions in Healthcare

11:31 – Strategies for Achieving Net Zero

18:06 – Retrofitting Existing Healthcare Facilities

24:48 – The Role of Digital Transformation

30:31 – Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Healthcare

Key Takeaways

• Healthcare’s Carbon Footprint: Hospitals, operating 24/7, require significant energy to function, leading to high carbon consumption due to continuous energy use for air conditioning, sterilisation, and other medical operations.
• Regional Challenges: In the Middle East, extreme climate conditions (heat, humidity, and water scarcity) exacerbate energy and carbon demands. Fossil fuels are still heavily relied upon, making the energy transition towards net zero more challenging. Imported equipment also increases embodied carbon in healthcare facilities.
• Energy Solutions: While the Middle East faces high carbon emissions from imported equipment, there are opportunities for generating renewable energy through solar and wind. In contrast, New Zealand produces 75% of its energy from hydroelectric sources, reducing its carbon footprint from energy generation.
• Retrofitting Existing Hospitals: WSP promotes modular designs that allow for retrofitting and upgrading equipment as technologies advance, enabling carbon emission reduction over time.
• Designing for Future Hospitals: WSP advocates for master planning that integrates net zero considerations from the outset. This includes selecting strategic hospital locations and promoting electrification, microgrids, and smarter mechanical systems to reduce operational carbon emissions.
• Operational Efficiency: Hospitals can reduce carbon output through better asset management, smart control systems, and embracing digital transformation, such as AI-driven building management and telemedicine, which reduces the need for physical hospital visits.
• Awareness and Education: There is a need for greater awareness and education among stakeholders about the financial and operational benefits of net zero hospitals. While initial costs may seem higher, the long-term savings and environmental benefits are substantial.
• Regulatory Support: Currently, there is no mandatory regulation for net zero in the region. WSP emphasizes that future regulations will be key in driving the widespread adoption of net zero practices in healthcare.
• Technological Partnerships: Collaboration with technology partners is crucial to incorporate innovations like AI, electric vehicles, and telemedicine into healthcare infrastructure, optimising energy use and enhancing patient care.

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