Long-term care of the planet

As the impacts of climate change continue to accelerate, the associated complexities deepen. There needs to be greater emphasis on addressing the root causes of climate change in a holistic way. Nowhere is this more apparent than in healthcare projects, which aim to deliver health and well-being outcomes while limiting the associated impacts on the planet of operating these facilities.

Over the past decade, much has been learned and advanced in reducing the operational impacts associated with buildings. Additionally, various codes and standards have continued to drive ever-greater reductions in operational emissions.

As operational carbon has been gradually reined in by these codes, there has been a corresponding recognition that building materials have a considerable effect on the planet and on a facility’s overall carbon picture. However, there are several unique considerations in the healthcare context that influence the ability to reduce embodied carbon emissions.