Climate

Climate Resilience in Healthcare

At Oakwell, we believe that measuring and reducing operational carbon emissions and building climate resilience are critical aspects of any successful sustainability strategy.

Extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and disruptions to supply chains all threaten the ability of healthcare systems to deliver high-quality care while controlling escalating costs. Increasing regulations and stakeholder demands also require climate action to be integrated within any modern healthcare organization.

Oakwell’s Approach to Climate Action in Healthcare

We take a comprehensive approach to helping health systems mitigate their climate impacts and build resiliency to ensure continuous operations. Our services encompass:

  • Climate Risk Assessment — We identify your organization’s vulnerabilities and prioritize areas for increased resiliency in the face of a changing climate.
  • Goal Setting — We guide your organization to set intermediate and long-term goals and engage the appropriate stakeholders throughout the process.

Why Focus on Climate Mitigation and Resilience?

The impact of climate change on human health and healthcare is undeniable. 8.5% of U.S.-based greenhouse gas emissions are from the healthcare industry. Prevention and preparedness are essential for the changing industry landscape. It likely affects your health system in the following ways:

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Patient Health and Safety

Extreme weather events and shifting climate and weather patterns increase injuries, exacerbate existing health conditions, and put entire communities at risk, often putting additional strain on medical resources.

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Disruptions to Operations

Extreme weather events can disrupt power grids, damage facilities, imperil access to essential supplies, and impede the ability to deliver uninterrupted care.

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Increased Demand for Services

Climate change is expected to lead to an increase in heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems, and zoonotic and waterborne diseases.

Climate Mitigation

We define the procedure and structure to measure and reduce Scopes 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions accurately and continuously in line with established goals

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Infrastructure Optimization

We help you improve energy efficiency, reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and enhance the resilience of your facilities, making them better equipped to handle extreme weather events. 

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Sustainable Procurement

We guide you in the upstream selection of suppliers with strong environmental practices and climate commitments reducing your supply chain vulnerabilities.

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Emergency Preparedness Planning

We collaborate with your team to develop robust plans for responding to climate-related emergencies.

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Community Collaboration

We encourage and foster partnerships with local organizations to build a more resilient healthcare ecosystem.

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Reporting

We simplify, streamline, and improve both mandated and voluntary reporting, enabling your organization to share its growing successes internally and externally.

Your Sustainability Management Partner for Climate Concerns

Oakwell is here to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.

By mitigating your carbon emissions, leveraging innovations in the built environment, and design planning for a more resilient system, you can ensure your organization maintains financial strength to deliver high-quality care for generations to come.

Benefits of Resilience in Healthcare

By taking proactive steps towards climate action, you can:

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Enhance Patient Safety and Positive Outcomes
Ensuring a comfortable and healthier environment for patients, staff, and local communities is always a top priority.
Reduce Short- and Long-Term Costs
Investing in sustainable solutions leads to immediate cost savings that exponentially compound over time.
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Minimize Operational Disruptions
Climate-resilient facilities are better prepared to respond to extreme weather storms and other disruptions.
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Enhance Public Image
Demonstrating a commitment to climate action strengthens your brand reputation in the community.
Let’s work together to create a more sustainable and resilient healthcare future.

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