Climate Neutrality and Sustainability in Healthcare! Challenges, Strategies, and Opportunities
On June 11, 2025, a particularly forward-looking guest lecture took place as part of the anniversary lecture series for the Bachelor’s program in Aging Services Management, in cooperation with the 30th anniversary of the Austrian Society for Public Health. Mag.aDr.inRuperta Lichtenecker, Director of the Climate and Health Competence Center at Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG), provided insight into one of the most pressing challenges currently facing health organizations.
In her presentation, Mag.aDr.inLichtenecker addressed one of the sector’s key questions for the future: How can the healthcare system be made sustainable and climate-neutral—and what opportunities does this transformation hold for society, employees, and patients? The presentation centered on the following central thesis:“What is good for the climate is also good for health—and vice versa.”
The healthcare sector accounts for about 6.7% of the national carbon footprint. At the same time, because of its close ties to people, institutions, and communities, it is a key lever when it comes to sustainable transformation. The sector itself is particularly affected:“We are already seeing the health consequences of heat, air pollution, and extreme weather—especially among vulnerable groups,” saidthe expert,referring to the climate impacts that are already being felt.
Healthcare facilities should therefore not only be part of the solution, but could also contribute to protecting public health through climate action. Lichtenecker emphasized that it is crucialto “create a health-promoting environment that benefits not only patients but also staff.”
From Energy Consumption to Medication Waste: Where Change Is Possible
The interdisciplinary team at the Center of Excellence for Climate and Health is working with local organizations to develop concrete solutions—with a focus on environmental, economic, andhealth impacts. In his presentation, Lichtenecker highlighted key areas of action. These include, among others:
- Construction and Building Operations: Green roofs, green facades, and structural measures to reduce heat not only lower emissions but also directly protect people's health.
- Waste Prevention and Medication Management: Large package sizes that are not fully used up in clinical practice result in a tremendous amount of waste. Efforts are currently underway to develop solutions such as individual single-dose dispensing in pharmacies and better alignment of demand with order quantities.
- Logistics and Procurement: Regional, sustainable procurement and reusable materials are key strategies for reducing emissions and conserving resources.
Other key areas include heat action plans, climate-friendly design of cafeterias, and employees’ mobility habits—all areas in which healthcare facilities can already take action today.
Climate protection requires innovation—and cooperation
The work of the Climate and Health Competence Center is part of a comprehensive project by the GÖG that aims to bring about a profound transformation of the healthcare system toward climate neutrality, resilience, and a public health focus. Lichtenecker’s team—an interdisciplinary group ranging from biologists to economists to environmental engineers—works closely with health and social service organizations throughout the country.
Lichtenecker emphasized the importance of networking and knowledge transfer in this context:“We advise and support each institution individually, wherever they are in their journey—from the initial stages to more in-depth measures.”
This opens up new career opportunities, particularly for professionals and students in the fieldsof digital health managementoraging services management: from the development of digital tools for resource assessment to strategic sustainability planning.
Organizations interested in consulting services or participating in a project can contact the Competence Center directly:
Contact:
ruperta.lichtenecker@goeg.at
Center of Excellence for Climate and Health, GÖG
Recording Now Available
Would you like to learn about the strategies for greater sustainability in the healthcare sector—and how organizations are already taking action today? Therecording of the presentationis now available online:
