Introduction

Climate change is directly impacting us. The environment is changing, that change is accelerating, and this has direct and immediate consequences for our Swansea Bay population.

It isn’t going away and it is up to us, as a health board and anchor institution, to do something through the way we deliver our services and support our population. We need to proactively plan and collaborate with partners.

One way of addressing this is using the Well-Being of Future Generations Act to create sustainable healthcare.

Sustainable healthcare delivers high quality care without damaging the environment, is affordable now and in the future and delivers positive social impact. 

Why is it important?

Healthcare is resource intensive, with estimates that it would be the fourth largest emitter globally if the sector was a country, according to the HCWH report in 2019. Read the Health Care's Climate Footprint report.

At Swansea Bay University Health Board, we emitted an estimated 142,029.59 tCOe in 2023/24 with the largest amount from the supply chain at 76 per cent of what we buy. That is the equivalent of building 4,438 new-build, three bedroom terraced houses, according to Public Health Wales' emissions calculator.

Whilst we can’t control what our suppliers do, we do have control over what we buy and where we buy it from, as well as using items we purchase more efficiently, this could even save on costs too.

What does this look like?

Sustainable healthcare touches everything we do, from the solar farm producing power at Morriston Hospital, to reducing non-essential glove use in community nursing and using technology to support patients. Check out some of our case studies below:

• Read how the solar farm helps power Morriston Hospital here.
• You can read more about our successful wound app here.
• Read about our Greener ED scheme which looks at delivering health care via a more sustainable approach.
• Find out about our award-winning litter picking project.
• See how a Community Supported Agriculture project is growing crops and aiding patients' rehabilitation.

How will climate change impact me?

Read the Public Health Wales Climate Change Health Impact Assessment.