This systematic review examines the ways healthcare systems are contributing to climate change and explores strategies and tactics to reduce their carbon footprint. The authors analyzed 205 studies, reports, and frameworks from 18 years of research to identify themes and overarching strategies for mitigating the impact of healthcare on the environment. The review also identifies key areas for policy and practice, including the need for effective governance, robust measuring tools, and the implementation of decarbonisation tactics like changing clinical and surgical practices, reducing waste, and minimising travel.

Research paper:

Braithwaite J, Smith CL, Leask E, Wijekulasuriya S, Brooke-Cowden K, Fisher G, Patel R, Pagano L, Rahimi Ardabili H, Spanos S, Rojas C, Partington A, McQuillan E, Dammery G, Carrigan A, Ehrenfeld L, Coiera E, Westbrook J, Zurynski Y. Strategies and tactics to reduce the impact of healthcare on climate change: systematic review. BMJ. 2024 Oct 8;387:e081284.

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