The Hospital Clínic Barcelona has acquired 40 greenhouse gas (GHG) credits through the Government of Catalonia's Voluntary Emissions Offset Programme. This action, along with the rest of the measures, aim to offset the carbon footprint generated during the Open Clínic, a festive event designed to promote healthy lifestyle habits. The event has been certified by B’Greenly as economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, and measures have been taken to reduce its negative impact.
Held for the first time on 11 May 2024, the Open Clínic was a day designed to encourage interaction between the hospital and the community and included different activities aimed at promoting the health and well-being of those attending. This event has been accredited as a sustainable event by the B’Greenly certification, which assesses and certifies the sustainability of events using strict environmental criteria.
The Government of Catalonia’s Voluntary Emissions Offset Programme allows organizations to offset their emissions by acquiring GHG credits. This Programme is based on encouraging the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) through projects carried out by social institutions in Catalonia. In this way, the Clínic contributes directly to the mitigation of climate change by also promoting social economy projects in the territory.
The purchase of GHG credits forms part of a series of actions implemented to minimize the ecological footprint associated with the holding of the Open Clínic. In addition to offsetting emissions, the Clínic has reused other materials from the Open Clínic, such as the second-hand clothes posters, which have been given a second use. These actions exemplify the hospital's desire to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.
Planetary health and its impact on human health
According to scientific consensus, human health and well-being are closely linked to the environment, which is one of the basic determinants of health known as the One Health approach. Therefore, the hospital, as an entity that promotes health, is firmly committed to advancing in the management of environmental sustainability, which is reflected in its Environmental Policy, Sustainability Policy and SDGs.
The Clínic’s commitment to sustainability is not restricted to this specific action. The hospital is developing several strategies to reduce its carbon emissions in the long term. These include improving energy efficiency, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, and implementing more effective waste management programmes. In addition, the Clínic is actively engaging its professionals and patients, fostering a culture of respect and care for the environment.
The purchase of 40 GHG credits and the B'Greenly certification are a clear demonstration of the Clínic’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, to promote a healthy environment for the community. These actions are part of the hospital’s strategy to make the Clínic greener, moving towards a more sustainable planet and a healthier future.
