Climate Action Toolbox for Healthcare

Healthcare systems play a dual role in the climate crisis: they are both impacted by climate change through (i.a.) extreme weather events, worsening air quality or increased disease incidence, whilst also contributing about 5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To align with international commitments such as the Paris Agreement and COP26/28 health initiatives, healthcare systems and health services must transition toward climate resilience and sustainability. 

However, becoming low-carbon and climate-resilient represents a challenge for the healthcare sector due to a lack of financing and evidence-based, cost-effective models. Practitioners, healthcare leaders, and policymakers struggle to identify the most relevant resources for their level of action and often lack the knowledge of where to find them.  

The Climate Action Toolbox for Healthcare addresses that challenge by systematically mapping, cataloging, and organizing existing tools, frameworks, and guidelines.  By providing a structured overview with filter options based on user needs, it supports healthcare system managers, hospital directors, and facility leaders in effectively adopting climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient healthcare sector. 

Our toolbox will be continually improved and extended with relevant tools and resources. Contact us to suggest resources, share updates, report errors, or provide general feedback at healthcare.toolbox@climateactionaccelerator.org. 

This Toolbox was developed in cooperation with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and co-designed with the Future of Hospital and Health Systems Initiative.

Cover photo: Akram Huseyn/Unsplash