The Observatoire's annual publication maps the evolution of the maturity of health and medico-social establishments in terms of sustainable development. 125 healthcare establishments completed the 2021 self-diagnosis based on 2020 data, an atypical year, compared with 250 in the usual panel.
Only 19% of responding healthcare facilities carried out a greenhouse gas assessment (BEGES) in 2020. This compares with 33% and 34% in the two previous years (2019 and 2018 data).
21% of plants that have completed their Beges have also filled in scope 3, an optional part of the balance sheet. This compares with 38% and 42% previously.
Scopes 1 and 2, which have been mandatory parts of the balance sheet since 2012, look at direct emissions used for heating and cooling. Scope 3, which is optional, takes into account all other forms of indirect emissions (purchase of raw materials, services or other products, employee travel, upstream and downstream transport of goods, waste management, etc.). Scope 3 represents between 80 and 90% of a healthcare facility's total greenhouse gas emissions.
With regard to energy, it is interesting to note that 49% of respondents said they had carried out an energy performance diagnosis (vs. 65% and 57%) and 33% an energy audit (vs. 35% and 36%).
In addition, 6% of respondents produce renewable energy. 7% are planning to work on this subject, and 83% of them are opting for a photovoltaic panel solution to partially or fully self-generate their needs.
With regard to purchasing, 19% of establishments define purchasing criteria linked to decarbonization systematically for certain segments, 2% for all segments, and 27% occasionally; 53% of respondent establishments do not integrate such criteria. 22% say they purchase circular economy products whenever possible.
Concerning the reduction of the impact of transport, in particular medical transport, 58% of facilities have implemented a specific approach, which for 16% concerns the simultaneous transport, whenever possible, of patients undergoing iterative chemotherapy or dialysis treatment.
Last but not least, anesthesiologists are driving the decarbonization process. For example, 17% of respondents have an anaesthesia gas reduction program in place, and 16% are working on it. 58% of actions taken concern the substitution of Desflurane by Sevoflurane whenever possible, and 42% concern the elimination of nitrous oxide in the operating theatre.