The official launch of the Green Coalition for Health took place on 26 March 2024. It is a new and important initiative founded jointly by institutional entities, hospitals and business partners for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) actions in the health sector.
The Rector of the Medical University of Bialystok, Prof. Prof. dr hab. Adam Krętowski has signed a cooperation agreement with the Green Coalition for Health in order to introduce innovations that could make a real contribution to improving health and environmental protection in Poland. MUB's mission is not only to raise the standards of education in the medical professions, but also to raise awareness of environmental protection among students, University employees and academic staff.
One of the most prominent initiatives to address the environmental impact of the medical industry's activities is the expansion of the 3rd edition of the postgraduate MBA in Healthcare at the MUB to include aspects of environmental protection and a low-carbon economy in healthcare entities. This will be an instrumental step towards setting new priorities for future leaders and managers of medical institutions and facilities.
Global health systems account for 4% of global CO2 emissions - that's more than aviation or shipping. If the health sector were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.
With a growing global population, diminishing natural resources and the growing threat of climate change, sustainability is no longer a choice, but an imperative for our collective wellbeing and survival. According to The Lancet Countdown, climate change is seen as the greatest health threat of the 21st century. In turn, hospitals and health systems will inevitably face high costs as a result of increasing numbers of extreme climate conditions. The healthcare sector occupies a special place in this context. It is at the forefront of solving today's challenges, playing a key role in improving and protecting human health, but also having a significant impact on the environment. From the high energy consumption of hospitals to the high waste production and resource consumption, the climate and environmental impact is significant. This impact contributes to exacerbating the challenges of climate change, which in turn negatively affects human health and wellbeing.
The National Health Fund, the City of Warsaw, the Embassy of Canada, the Embassy of Belgium and the Polish-Dutch Chamber are honorary patrons of the initiative.
Green Coalition for Health website
