Implementing a Sustainability Framework in Healthcare: A Three-Lens Framework

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Healthcare Management
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Healthcare organizations (HCOs) contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, pollutants, and unsustainable practices, impacting public health and contributing to climate change.
• There is an increasing demand for healthcare transformation to enhance quality, safety, and value, addressing the public health crisis caused by healthcare pollution and climate change.
• Sustainability initiatives are increasingly linked to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) principles, with HCOs expected to report on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review approaches for integrating sustainability as a core strategy within healthcare organizations.
• To discuss the implementation of sustainability initiatives using a political, strategic, and cultural framework.
• To identify solutions and provide a pathway for operationalizing sustainability in HCOs.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and best practices in healthcare sustainability.
• Analysis of implementation challenges and opportunities through a political, strategic, and cultural lens.
• Development of a framework for embedding and operationalizing sustainability initiatives in HCOs.

Main Results:

• Identified key sustainability challenges and risks for HCOs.
• Outlined a multi-lens framework (political, strategic, cultural) for embedding sustainability.
• Proposed actionable solutions and a pathway for operationalizing sustainability initiatives.
• Highlighted the connection between sustainability, DEIJ, and ESG reporting.

Conclusions:

• Embedding sustainability is crucial for healthcare transformation, addressing environmental and public health crises.
• A comprehensive approach considering political, strategic, and cultural factors is necessary for successful implementation.
• Operationalizing sustainability requires clear strategies, buy-in, and a pathway for integration into HCO practices.