Review of Sustainable Energy Technologies and Financial Tools for Achieving Net-zero Emission Hospitals

Abstract

Mitigation of climate change, which is a severe global environmental problem, requires the sharp decrease of greenhouse gas emissions. Hospitals and healthcare facilities consume large amounts of energy compared with other organizations while they mainly use conventional fuels and grid electricity. The aims of the current study are: a) to review the sustainable energy technologies which can be used in hospitals minimizing their carbon emissions due to energy use, and b) to review the existing financial tools which can support the investments of clean energy technologies in hospitals. Published literature indicates that several benign energy technologies have been used in hospitals in developed and less-developed countries. These include: a) energy saving technologies, b) renewable energy technologies, c) low carbon emission technologies, and d) technologies related with green transportation. The most of them are reliable, mature and cost-efficient. Their combined use results in lower carbon emissions in hospitals. Any remaining emissions can be offset with the existing carbon offsetting schemes. Various financial mechanisms can facilitate investments of clean energy technologies in hospitals. It is concluded that several benign energy technologies combined with carbon offsetting schemes can assist hospitals to zero their net carbon emissions due to energy use while the existing financial mechanisms can facilitate and support the required energy investments. The present study is useful to policy makers and hospital’s authorities who are looking forward to minimize the carbon footprint in these organizations complying with current policies for achieving net zero carbon emission societies in the coming decades.