Guidance on health promoting and climate-friendly hospitals and health services

Abstract The negative impacts of climate change on health and the healthcare system are becoming increasingly evident. The healthcare sector, which accounts for nearly seven percent of Austria’s CO2 emissions, contributes to the exacerbation of climate change on one hand, but is also affected by its consequences on the other. To meet these challenges, it is necessary for healthcare facilities to both adopt climate-protective measures and adapt to the changed conditions. A project launched in 2023, supported by the Austrian Health Promotion Agenda and in cooperation with the Austrian Network of Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services, has shown that there is a need for support in implementing climate protection measures in healthcare facilities. In response, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion in Hospitals and Healthcare, located at the Competence Centre for Health Promotion and Healthcare at the Austrian National Public Health Institute, will work on the development of standards based on international models to support healthcare facilities in the introduction of climate-friendly practices until 2026. The methodology of the project includes the analysis of existing quality criteria and instruments, as well as a modified Delphi process with two rounds of online questionnaires directed at an international panel of experts. After each round, exchange meetings with a smaller group from the panel take place to achieve consensus. Based on the research findings and the Delphi consultations, a draft of standards and an implementation manual will be created. These drafts will be piloted in various healthcare facilities in Austria and other countries to assess their practicability and effectiveness. Following the pilot tests, the standards and the manual will be revised to integrate the practical insights gained. At the time of the conference, the initial results of the Delphi process will be presented, providing insights for the further development of the standards. Key messages • Integrating climate-friendly practices into all aspects of healthcare can reduce its environmental impact, improve health outcomes, and contribute to the broader sustainable development goals. • Climate-friendly approaches yield significant health, economic, and social co-benefits.