Sustainability in healthcare is more than just green buildings

Sustainability in healthcare has often been equated with efficient lighting, solar panels, and recycling drives. But the conversation must evolve, says Dr Marwan Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer of Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City.  

“Sustainability in healthcare goes far beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions or constructing environmentally friendly facilities. It requires a holistic view that brings together environmental responsibility, social equity, and an effective workforce,” he notes.  

It simply means developing hospitals that can withstand crises, pandemics, heatwaves, and supply-chain shocks, while maintaining equitable access to care. “Globally, sustainability should be seen as a strategic driver of innovation,” he adds. “Measures like smarter resource use, stronger safety protocols, and waste reduction don’t just protect the environment; they create long-term value for communities.” 

Reconciling growth and green goals 

Healthcare remains one of the world’s most resource-intensive sectors, responsible for an estimated 4 to 5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Lancet Planetary Health. Hospitals face the paradox of needing to expand services while cutting emissions. 

“Reconciling growth with sustainability requires forward-looking planning that embeds efficiency and scalability from the start,” says Dr Al Kaabi. 

He believes digital transformation and modular infrastructure are key. Energy-efficient design, waste reduction, and greener supply chains can decouple capacity expansion from rising carbon output. “The goal is to make sustainability a central part of expansion, not a trade-off,” he notes. 

An example from anaesthesiology underscores the point. “Desflurane, an inhaled anaesthetic, is over 2,500 times more potent than CO2,” he explains. “Phasing out such gases in favour of greener alternatives is a simple but powerful step towards net-zero care.” 

For hospitals, the biggest sustainability gains often come from safer, leaner systems, and not new buildings, as one would imagine. “The greatest opportunities for reducing waste lie in safety practices and supply-chain management,” says Dr Al Kaabi. “Even small, targeted improvements can make a big difference.” 

Standardised clinical procedures, efficient incident reporting, and precision diagnostics can minimise unnecessary testing and medical waste, all while safeguarding patient outcomes. “Streamlining procurement to cut single-use plastics and redundant processes contributes to a more circular, resilient healthcare system,” he adds. 

Digital health as a climate solution 

Artificial intelligence and telemedicine, which were once viewed solely as efficiency tools, are critical to reducing healthcare’s carbon load. “Digital technologies can transform sustainability by cutting administrative waste and improving care delivery,” says Dr Al Kaabi. 

Remote consultations, on the other hand, are reducing patient travel and hospital energy use, while smart systems are allowing monitoring of power and water consumption in real time. Dr Al Kabbi, however, sounds cautions and reminds of the risks that lurk around with the increased integration of technology into the medical systems. “These gains come with risks; data privacy and over-reliance on technology must be managed with strong cybersecurity and human oversight.” 

Sustainable supply chains are the next frontier 

More than 70 per cent of healthcare’s emissions stem from procurement and logistics, from pharmaceuticals to PPE. Fixing this, Dr Al Kaabi believes, requires systemic change. “Sustainable supply chains depend on transparency, local sourcing, and circular-economy principles,” he says. “Choosing suppliers with robust environmental policies creates a ripple effect across the industry.” 

Digitised logistics for route optimisation, biodegradable packaging, and carbon-tracking in contracts are already gaining traction. “Sustainability must extend beyond the hospital walls,” he insists. 

The economics of sustainability 

A common perception persists that green healthcare costs more. The evidence, says Dr Al Kaabi, suggests otherwise. “The case is best made through measurable returns, which include efficiency savings, reduced risk, and enhanced reputation,” he explains. “Investments in sustainability generate long-term value by lowering operating costs and strengthening resilience.” 

Boards that view ESG through a purely financial lens are missing the point, he argues. “Sustainability is a competitive advantage. It drives innovation, attracts top talent, and secures financial stability in an era of climate regulation.” 

Looking ahead: The hospital of 2035 

A decade from now, a truly sustainable healthcare system could look very different. “We will see regenerative hospitals that produce more energy than they consume, AI-optimised supply chains, and circular processes where waste from one department becomes input for another,” predicts Dr Al Kaabi. 

For leaders, the first step is simple but urgent: measure, embed, and collaborate. “Conduct carbon audits, integrate sustainability into governance, and build cross-sector partnerships. That’s how resilience begins.” 

From initiative to industry norm 

Across the Middle East, healthcare providers are increasingly aligning with national sustainability agendas right from the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 plan to Saudi Arabia’s Green Initiative. Dr Al Kaabi believes this is only the beginning. “Sustainability cannot remain a departmental initiative; it has to become a shared responsibility across every level of the organisation,” he says. “The future of healthcare depends on how well we balance clinical excellence with environmental stewardship.”