HSE Climate Conference to discuss progress and challenges in the move towards sustainable healthcare

The HSE’s Climate Action Team, along with the Climate and Health Alliance and the HSE Spark Innovation Programme, will gather today to discuss the important progress being made within the Healthcare sector in Ireland when it comes to tackling climate change and creating sustainable healthcare for all. It comes on the back of a recent report that 2025 saw Ireland’s hottest summer since records began in 1900.

Today’s conference – themed “We’re Taking Climate Action – The Time is Now” – will feature guest speakers from across the Irish healthcare sector and beyond who will discuss the HSE decarbonisation roadmap, the Climate and Health Alliance focus, and the health vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Since the inception of the HSE’s Climate Action Strategy 2023-2050, there have been a number of notable achievements:

• Awarded ISO 50001, a global energy management standard for its approach to continuously improving energy efficiency and performance.
• Established Regional Green Committees in each of the four Health Regions.
• Over 140 green teams in HSE services have committed to reducing emissions in their workplace.
• Installed over 10k photovoltaic (PV) panels at 60 sites, installations to date have achieved energy cost reductions of approx. €1 million per annum with approx. €3.8 million saved by the end of 2025.
• By the end of 2023, the HSE achieved a 20% reduction in energy-related emissions and a 34% improvement in energy efficiency performance.

Spark Innovation

Today’s conference will also see a number of climate-focused health projects recognised. The Spark Innovation Programme encourages healthcare workers to develop solutions to improve our health service.

These projects include:

• Remanufactured electrosurgical devices – reducing the environmental impact of surgery at Cork University Hospital (CUH) and Maternity Hospital.
• Green Inhaler Project – Tallaght University Hospital.
• Detect, Repair, Save: A strategic water conservation project at St. Ita’s Campus (Portrane, Co. Dublin).

Speaking about the conference, Dr Philip Crowley, National Director of Wellbeing, Equality, Climate and Global Health, HSE says: “The threat to our health when it comes to climate change is growing. As part of a body charged with looking after the health of our population, we recognise the threat posed by climate change and are actively working to combat its impact.

“I’m happy to say we are seeing progress, particularly in energy efficiency performance. Ultimately, a health sector that can provide sustainable healthcare solutions will benefit everybody and help to minimise the threat climate change is having on people.”

Mark Murphy, Senior Policy Manager, Irish Heart Foundation and Secretariat of the Climate and Health Alliance, added:

“Climate change and human health are interconnected in a myriad of complex ways that are often overlooked. It is the biggest public health risk we face in Ireland, yet taking steps to address climate change can also radically improve our health. Transitioning to sustainable diets, embedding active travel into our daily lives, lowering air pollution, and realising a sustainable healthcare system are all win-wins for both planetary and human health.

“That is the objective of the Climate and Health Alliance, and we are delighted to work with the HSE’s Climate Action Team and the Spark Innovation Programme in our mutual aim to achieve sustainable healthcare in Ireland.

Siobhán Power, National Innovation Fellow, HSE Spark Innovation Programme, commented:

“The HSE Spark Innovation Programme is proud to support frontline staff who are developing practical solutions to the very real challenges of climate change. From reducing surgical waste to conserving water and improving the sustainability of treatments, these projects show how frontline innovation can deliver impact and help build a healthier health service for everyone.”