The Effect of the Pandemic on the Carbon Footprint of Health Care Institutions: A Case Study

Abstract

Healthcare institutions contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to their energy consumption, material use, and waste generation. The COVID-19 pandemic altered hospital activities, affecting their carbon footprint through changes in patient visits, medical procedures, and resource consumption. This study examines the GHG emissions of two university hospitals in Istanbul, one with 85 beds and another with 95 beds, between the years of 2018 and 2022. Emissions were categorized as direct (Category 1), energy indirect (Category 2), and other indirect (Categories 3 and 4), following ISO 14064-1, IPCC, and GHG Protocol standards. Results indicate that the highest emissions per patient occurred in 2020 (10.6 and 8.2 kgCO2e/person) when the pandemic was at its peak. By 2022, with a nearly twofold increase in patient numbers, per capita emissions decreased by up to 36%. Indirect emissions surged in 2020 due to increased use of single-use medical materials and waste production. These findings highlight the pandemic’s dual impact on hospital carbon footprints and emphasize the need for sustainable healthcare strategies.