St James’s Hospital has become Dublin’s first acute hospital to earn a green flag for leadership in sustainable healthcare.
The hospital is also “on track” to meet 2030 climate targets with a 34 per cent improvement in energy efficiency and a 34 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.
The award is part of the green campus programme which is operated by An Taisce. The programme aims to support hospitals, universities and other institutions in embedding sustainability across their operations.
Since registering for the programme in 2018, the hospital has implemented the programme’s seven-step framework.
Energy efficiency in the hospital has improved by 34 per cent through a range of measures including; LED lighting upgrades, high efficiency pumps, and the installation of a combined heat and power plant. There has been a corresponding fall in energy related carbon emissions of 34 per cent.
In addition, through metering, monitoring, and managing its usage, the hospital has reduced water consumption by 42 per cent. The hospital has also seen a significant increase in the number of staff commuting sustainably to the campus via public transport and bicycle.
“This green flag is more than a symbol of sustainability- it reflects our deep commitment to ensuring we adopt greener practices in the delivery of our patient-centered care,” said CEO of St James’s Hospital, Prof Mary Day.
“We are proud to lead by example; our campus is evolving into a modern- co-located health and research hub, where environmental responsibility and clinical excellence go hand in hand. This Green Flag is only the beginning of our sustainability journey.”
