How We Do It: Reducing the Climate Impact of Critical Care

As the health effects of climate change intensify, critical care providers have an urgent responsibility to minimize the environmental impact of health care delivery. Though the response of critical care clinicians in managing climate-exacerbated diseases such as asthma and heat stroke is well-recognized, the impact of critical care delivery on climate change itself may be less familiar.

This case-based review explores the drivers of the intensive care unit (ICU) climate footprint including high energy and electricity use, supply chain contributions, pharmaceutical greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, and low-value care. Potential solutions are then presented for each of these elements with an emphasis on multidisciplinary team engagement to enact lasting change.

The role of the ICU clinician as environmental policy advocate is also explored. Despite the grave clinical implications of the climate crisis, critical care providers are well-positioned to mitigate their own climate impacts and help lead healthcare decarbonization.