Jan 17 2025
DUBAI: A recent report has reaffirmed the UAE’s goal of reducing carbon emissions from its healthcare sector by 20 percent by 2030. This ambitious target is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to implement energy-saving measures, recycling programmes, and waste reduction initiatives.
The report, titled The Planet Will See You Now, published by Arthur D. Little (ADL), provides insights into the environmental challenges and opportunities facing the healthcare sector in the Middle East. ADL stresses the importance of adopting sustainable practices to reduce escalating emissions, energy consumption, and waste in healthcare organisations across the region.
The findings align with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision and Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Green Initiative, which focus on decarbonising various sectors, including healthcare. ADL also highlights several key strategies, such as eco-friendly hospital designs, waste reduction programmes, and supply chain optimisation, as essential to meeting these sustainability targets.
Globally, the healthcare sector accounts for 4.4% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making it the fifth-largest emitter worldwide. Emissions in the Middle East are estimated to be higher than the global average, primarily due to the region’s hot climate, which drives up energy consumption for cooling, and challenges with medical waste management.
Dr. Ali Alessandro Ayach from ADL Middle East stressed the urgency of accelerating decarbonisation efforts to meet sustainability targets. He noted, “The UAE and Saudi Arabia are setting the stage for a sustainable healthcare revolution by embracing innovation and modern practices.”
Farhan Mirza, another ADL expert, emphasised, “By prioritising sustainability, healthcare systems in the Middle East can drive positive outcomes for patients, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
