On April 14, Health Care Without Harm launched The Global Road Map for Health Care Decarbonization: a navigational tool for achieving zero emissions with climate resilience and health equity at the Skoll World Forum 2021.
With an aim to chart the course to zero emissions for global health care by 2050, this road map is a groundbreaking and novel initiative to manage the future of emissions within the health sector.
“We’re experiencing the climate and health emergencies as one and the same, including increases in respiratory illness from fossil fuel pollution and those caused by dire climate impacts such as wildfires. Health care bears the brunt of these two crises while also, ironically contributing to them through its own emissions. It’s imperative for health leaders to lead by example and act now to reach zero emissions by 2050. The Road Map charts a course in that direction,” says Josh Karliner, international director of program and strategy, Health Care Without Harm, and the Road Map co-author.
Notably, the Road Map recommends seven high-impact actions for the sector to reduce emissions by 44 gigatons over 36 years. Within a sector with an already substantial climate footprint, this is vital on top of the promised efforts of countries within the Paris Agreement.
“All countries’ health systems will need to reach zero emissions by 2050 while at the same time achieving global health goals. Many health systems in low- and middle-income countries will require support from developed economies to facilitate access to the necessary solutions during this transition,” says Sonia Roschnik, international climate policy director, Health Care Without Harm, and Road Map co-author.
The Road Map can be accessed here https://healthcareclimateaction.org/roadmap
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