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10 innovative solutions

to reduce the environmental impact of the healthcare sector

10 innovative solutions

to reduce the environmental impact of the healthcare sector

Isometric illustration of a sustainable hospital campus

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation action programme under the grant agreement n°101137340.

Waste

Solution

Impact

Where

Developer

CleanFlow: Sustainable wastewater management

The approach cuts reagent consumption and waste, and couples H₂ production with advanced oxidation in one circular scheme.

7th Health Region of Crete (7HRC)
Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD)
Wellbeing services county of Päijät-Häme (WPH)

Cyprus University of Technology

CleanFlow: Sustainable wastewater management

Context

At the EU level, there is no legislation that specifically targets hospital wastewater before discharge to municipal sewers. Hospital effluents fall under horizontal instruments such as the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets requirements for municipal sewage treatment but does not single out hospitals. However, the level of pollution brought by wastewater requires to find cost-effective treatment processes.

The solution

CleanFlow is an innovative chemical process reusing spent ZVI from H₂ generation for Fenton-like treatment of hospital wastewater Built on a CUT patent (EP 4351764 B1), where CO₂ reacts with zero-valent iron (ZVI) to generate H₂, this innovation tackles the cost bottleneck of ZVI passivation. It demonstrates, for the first time, that passivated/“spent” ZVI (e.g., FeCO₃-coated) can be directly reused as a catalyst in a modified Fenton process for hospital wastewater treatment.

TODO

Impact

The approach cuts reagent consumption and waste, and couples H₂ production with advanced oxidation in one circular scheme. A feasibility study has so far shown that the efficiency of the process brings an economic benefit too in real hospital context.

The solution has been tested in

The process has been developed and tested in CUT laboratory.
A feasibility study, demonstrating the economic and environmental sustainability of a water treatment system using the process, has been run in the real context of the

7th Health Region of Crete (7HRC)
A similar study will be run in
Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD)
Wellbeing services county of Päijät-Häme (WPH)

For more information

Developer(s)

Cyprus University of Technology
Ioannis VYRIDES
Ioannis.vyrides@cut.ac.cy

Promotional video

FoodToBiogas

FoodToBiogas reduces the climate footprint of food waste, cuts waste-management costs, and supports energy self-production in hospitals.

UKHD (Germany)
WPH (Finland)
FPG (Italy)

Cyprus University of Technology

FoodToBiogas

Context

Hospitals generate significant amounts of food waste and organic residues that are costly to manage and usually sent off-site for disposal. This leads to high transport emissions, rising waste-management costs, and missed opportunities to recover renewable energy. Healthcare facilities need solutions that transform organic waste into clean energy directly on-site while reducing environmental impact.

The solution

FoodToBiogas is an on-site anaerobic digestion system designed to convert hospital food waste and organic residues into biogas and nutrient-rich digestate. Using compact, automated digesters and optional drying units, the solution allows hospitals to treat waste safely at source and produce renewable energy that can be used for heating, electricity generation, or upgraded into biomethane. The system reduces waste volume, eliminates transport needs, and supports circular, low-carbon hospital operations.

TODO

Impact

FoodToBiogas reduces the climate footprint of food waste, cuts waste-management costs, and supports energy self-production in hospitals. By turning organic waste into renewable biogas, it lowers CO₂ emissions, avoids transport-related pollution, and promotes a circular economy within healthcare facilities. Digestate can also be valorised as an agricultural soil improver where regulations allow.

The solution has been tested in

Feasibility and design validation activities have been performed using waste data and site assessments from:

UKHD (Germany)
WPH (Finland)
FPG (Italy)

Full system deployment will be validated during pilot testing in the CARING NATURE project.

For more information

Developer(s)

Cyprus University of Technology
Ioannis VYRIDES
Ioannis.vyrides@cut.ac.cy

Promotional video

MED-WASTE PYROLYSIS

The solution reduces CO₂ emissions, transportation needs, and dependency on large-scale incineration.

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (FPG) - Italy

ERCS

MED-WASTE PYROLYSIS

Context

Hospitals generate large amounts of hazardous medical waste that typically require costly, energy-intensive incineration. This treatment releases greenhouse gases and pollutants and depends on transport to external facilities. Healthcare organisations therefore need cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective alternatives that reduce environmental impact while ensuring regulatory compliance.

The solution

The Med-Waste Pyrolysis Solution is an innovative on-site treatment system that uses high-temperature pyrolysis to convert hazardous medical waste into inert char, syngas, and oil fractions. Designed for hospital environments, the system offers a compact, automated, and emission-controlled alternative to incineration. It reduces waste volume, eliminates pathogens, and enables safer handling, all while lowering environmental impact and operational costs. The prototype meets EU safety and performance requirements for on-site clinical waste processing.

TODO

Impact

The solution reduces CO₂ emissions, transportation needs, and dependency on large-scale incineration. On-site pyrolysis cuts waste volume drastically, lowers treatment costs, and minimises environmental releases. It supports hospitals in meeting EU sustainability targets and strengthens resilience by ensuring local, autonomous waste management.

The solution has been tested in

The solution has been tested in:

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (FPG), Italy

For more information

Developer(s)

ERCS
Thanasis DEMOSTHENOUS
Thanasis@ercservices.eu

Promotional video

WASTE-OR

WASTE-OR promotes a paradigm shift in how operating room waste is classified, reduced and reused.

FPG (Italy)
FHAG (Spain)
UKHD (Germany)

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS

WASTE-OR

Context

Operating rooms (OR) generate the highest carbon footprint in hospitals due to extreme energy use and large volumes of misclassified medical waste—up to 2,300 kg per OR each year, much of it incinerated unnecessarily. A practical solution is needed to reduce waste, improve classification, and support greener practices in surgical environments.

The solution

WASTE-OR consists in hospital guidelines for waste reduction in operating theatres. It proposes a comprehensive operational framework for sustainable waste management in operating rooms, emphasizing waste reduction, staff engagement, and continuous monitoring. The guidelines lead the users to define and adopt contextualized models for waste management and institutional operational guidelines, including methods for re-usable device identification and for data collection and analysis, training material

TODO

Impact

WASTE-OR promotes a paradigm shift in how operating room waste is classified, reduced and reused. By improving waste management, supporting proper segregation and encouraging behavioural change, it significantly decreases incineration and emissions. The solution reduces operational costs, limits overuse of materials and fosters sustainable habits among healthcare staff—resulting in both environmental and economic benefits.

The solution has been tested in

Green Building Compass 4 Care has been applied and validated at:

FPG in Italy
Additional validation will occur at:
FHAG (Spain)
UKHD (Germany)

For more information

Developer(s)

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS - Rome, Italy
Laura Lorenzon
laura.lorenzon@policlinicogemelli.it

Buildings

Solution

Impact

Where

Developer

Green Building Compass 4 Care

The solution helps reduce embodied carbon, improve resource efficiency and extend building lifespan through circular and adaptable design.

UKHD in Germany
FHAG (Spain)
WPH (Finland)

4D Architects

Green Building Compass 4 Care

Context

Healthcare buildings have the highest embodied carbon per m² of all building types. To reduce their environmental footprint, new tools are needed to guide architects and managers toward low-carbon, circular and adaptable designs. Green Building Compass 4 Care responds to this need by supporting greener and more resilient healthcare infrastructures.

The solution

Green Building Compass 4 Care is an AI-powered decision-support toolkit for the design, development and management of Green & Resilient Healthcare facilities. It evaluates buildings through three key dimensions—circularity profile, carbon profile and healing environment profile. By integrating Nature-Based-Infrastructure and Circular Building Design principles, the toolkit guides users toward more sustainable, adaptable and health-promoting design choices.

TODO

Impact

The solution helps reduce embodied carbon, improve resource efficiency and extend building lifespan through circular and adaptable design. By promoting Nature-Based-Infrastructure, it enhances carbon sequestration, air quality and overall wellbeing. Economically, it supports cost-efficient planning, maintenance and renovation strategies, reducing long-term operational and environmental costs.

The solution has been tested in

Green Building Compass 4 Care has been applied and validated at:

UKHD in Germany

Additional validation will occur at:

FHAG (Spain)
WPH (Finland)

For more information

Developer(s)

TODO

4D Architects
Elma Durmisevic
e.durmisevic@4darchitects.nl

ENER : AI-powered decision support system software for energy management

ENER supports hospitals in reducing energy costs and carbon emissions while safeguarding thermal comfort and indoor environmental quality.

Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli (FPG), Italy
FHAG (Spain)
WPH (Finland)

Idea75

ENER : AI-powered decision support system software for energy management

Context

Hospitals are among the most energy-intensive buildings, requiring continuous operational reliability, strict temperature and humidity control, and certified HVAC and equipment performance. This leads to high energy demand and rising operational costs. Healthcare facilities therefore need smarter, more sustainable energy management tools capable of ensuring patient comfort while reducing consumption and supporting the transition toward climate-neutral infrastructures.

The solution

ENER is an AI-powered energy management system designed specifically for healthcare buildings. It combines real-time monitoring, predictive modelling, anomaly detection, digital twins, and AI-driven optimisation to help hospitals reduce energy consumption, prevent loss-of-comfort risks, and support operational decision-making.
It integrates:

ENER Edge, an IoT gateway collecting data from sensors and Building Management Systems; and
ENER Cloud, a cloud-based analytics and optimisation platform offering dashboards, KPIs, alarms, forecasts, and decision-support functionalities.

Together, these systems enable hospitals transition towards low-impact, sustainable, energy- efficient facilities.

TODO

Impact

ENER supports hospitals in reducing energy costs and carbon emissions while safeguarding thermal comfort and indoor environmental quality.
Key benefits include:

More efficient HVAC operation through multi-objective optimisation;
Detection and forecasting of anomalies and loss-of-comfort events thanks to AI-based alerts (30%+ more actionable alarms demonstrated in pilots);
Improved operational decision-making using data-driven dashboards and operational profiles performance comparisons;
Support for compliance with EU sustainability and energy-efficiency targets.

The solution has been tested in

Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli (FPG), Italy – ENER has been deployed in real hospital conditions, collecting live telemetry, generating forecasts, optimising HVAC control, and providing enhanced alarm and decision-support functions in laboratory L231.
Additional piloting and validation will occur in:
FHAG (Spain)
WPH (Finland) as part of the upcoming deployment phases.

For more information

Developer(s)

Idea75
Davide CASCELLA
davide.cascella@idea75.it

Promotional video

Staff engagement

Solution

Impact

Where

Developer

ENGAGE: Participatory staff engagement model

ENGAGE fosters a culture of sustainability by engaging staff directly in co-creating green solutions.

Wellbeing Services County of Päijät-Häme (WPH), Finland
FHAG (Spain)
FPG (Italy)
UKHD (Germany)
7HRC (Greece)

Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT)

ENGAGE: Participatory staff engagement model

Context

Health and care professionals play a crucial role in advancing environmental sustainability, yet they often lack structured opportunities, tools, and spaces to participate in the green transition. Staff insights from everyday work processes are essential for identifying practical, impactful sustainability actions, but traditional organisational structures rarely enable this engagement.

The solution

ENGAGE is a participatory staff engagement model that empowers health and care workers to take an active role in their organisation’s green transition. Co-developed with a Community of Practice of environmental partners, ENGAGE combines a learning approach, a rich library of 30 participatory methods, practical guidelines, and training materials to help teams co-create sustainability solutions that fit their local context. The model strengthens collaboration, creativity, and ownership, enabling staff to transform environmental ambitions into everyday practices.

TODO

Impact

ENGAGE fosters a culture of sustainability by engaging staff directly in co-creating green solutions. It enhances awareness, supports climate-friendly behaviours, strengthens collaboration across units, and can contribute to reducing environmental impacts related to waste, energy use, and resource consumption. By giving health and care professionals ownership of sustainability initiatives, ENGAGE helps embed long-term environmental responsibility within their organisations.

The solution has been tested in

ENGAGE has been co-developed at:

Wellbeing Services County of Päijät-Häme (WPH), Finland – through a multi-phase workshop process with the organisation’s network of environmental partners (Community of Practice), piloting and refining the model and its participatory methods.

On going validation activities involve:

FPHAG (Spain)
FPG (Italy)
UKHD (Germany)
7HRC (Greece)

For more information

Developer(s)

Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT), Finland
Helinä MELKAS
helina.melkas@lut.fi

Promotional video

Governance

Solution

Impact

Where

Developer

Green Lean Healthcare (GLSS-HC)

GLSS-HC helps hospitals reduce waste, CO₂ emissions, and unnecessary resource use while improving workflow efficiency and staff engagement.

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (FPG) - Italy
FHAG (Spain)
UKHD (Germany)

RINA-C

Green Lean Healthcare (GLSS-HC)

Context

Hospitals face rising pressure to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and lower their environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality patient care. However, clinical processes often generate unnecessary waste, inefficiencies, and variation that remain hidden without structured improvement methods. GLSS-HC addresses this need by combining process excellence with sustainability.

The solution

Green Lean Healthcare (GLSS-HC) is an integrated methodology that adapts Lean Six Sigma to the healthcare context by embedding environmental sustainability into every phase of process improvement. It helps clinical teams reduce waste, optimise workflows, and minimise environmental impact using tailored tools, green indicators, and healthcare-specific guidance. The method supports defining, measuring, analysing, improving, and controlling processes (DMAIC) while explicitly targeting environmental benefits.

TODO

Impact

GLSS-HC helps hospitals reduce waste, CO₂ emissions, and unnecessary resource use while improving workflow efficiency and staff engagement. In pilot testing, it improved waste segregation accuracy, reduced contaminated waste incineration, shortened sorting and cleanup times, and increased staff compliance through visual tools and standardised processes. It supports long-term organisational change toward greener, more resilient care pathways.

The solution has been tested in

GLSS-HC has been applied and validated at:

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (FPG), Italy – applied to the Cholecystectomy patient journey and the Operating Room, with full DMAIC execution.

Additional validation will occur at:

FHAG (Spain)
UKHD (Germany)

For more information

Developer(s)

RINA-C
Aymè Ballagas Negrete, ayme.ballagas@rina.org
Celina Solari, celina.solari@rina.org
Paolo Finocchi, paolo.finocchi@rina.org

KSS-DSS: Knowledge sharing system and decision support system

KSS-DSS helps healthcare organisations make informed, sustainable choices by providing clear access to evidence, best practices, and multidimensional assessments.

Healthcare organisations,
Environmental and sustainability experts,
Researchers,
Managers and policymakers.

SIMAVI

KSS-DSS: Knowledge sharing system and decision support system

Context

Healthcare systems need to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining high-quality and equitable care. Yet progress is often slowed by fragmented knowledge, lack of access to actionable sustainability information, and difficulty making evidence-based investment decisions that consider environmental, social, and economic impacts. Healthcare professionals report a lack of structured training, practical tools, and clear guidance to support sustainability action.

The solution

KSS-DSS combines a Knowledge-Sharing System and a Decision-Support System to accelerate the green transition in healthcare. The KSS offers an online ecosystem with scientific evidence, case studies, training, and a community of practice to give users accessible, actionable sustainability knowledge. The DSS provides multidimensional decision-making tools integrating environmental, social, and cost assessments, helping hospitals compare scenarios and choose the most sustainable investments. Together, KSS-DSS empowers hospitals, policymakers, and investors with the knowledge and tools needed to implement impactful, sustainable, and cost-effective healthcare solutions.

TODO

Impact

KSS-DSS helps healthcare organisations make informed, sustainable choices by providing clear access to evidence, best practices, and multidimensional assessments. It supports better environmental, social, and financial decision-making, helping hospitals reduce their footprint, improve efficiency, and strengthen long-term sustainability strategies.

The solution has been tested in

The KSS-DSS has been developed and validated with Stakeholder Groups, involving:

Healthcare organisations;
Environmental and sustainability experts;
Researchers;
Managers and policymakers.

For more information

Developer(s)

SIMAVI
Alexandra.Tudorascu
Alexandra.Tudorascu@sivtec.ro
Costin Calin
Costin.Calin@simavi.ro
Iacob Crucianu
Iacob.Crucianu@simavi.ro

Patient's travel

Solution

Impact

Where

Developer

TELEMED: real-time telemedicine

TELEMED reduces CO₂ emissions from patient and staff travel, lowers operational costs, and increases access to care.

FHAG (Spain)
FPG (Italy)
WPH (Finland)

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS

TELEMED: real-time telemedicine

Context

Hospitals are under pressure to reduce emissions, avoid unnecessary travel, and provide care efficiently while maintaining high-quality patient outcomes. Traditional in-person consultations often generate avoidable carbon emissions and logistical burden. Healthcare systems need digital, accessible, and sustainable alternatives that improve patient experience and reduce the environmental footprint of care delivery.

The solution

TELEMD is a package supporting the HCPs in the “decision to adopt” and in the “implementation” phases of the telemedicine adoption process. It includes (1) a multi-dimensional decision model for ex-ante and ex-post evaluations of clinical, technical, organizational and regulatory eligibility and of environmental, social and economic sustainability (2) examples of devices that can be used for tele-visits and tele-rehabilitation (3) service delivery protocols (4) operators’ practical training package.

TODO

Impact

TELEMED reduces CO₂ emissions from patient and staff travel, lowers operational costs, and increases access to care. It enhances efficiency, enables flexible hybrid models, and improves patient satisfaction while supporting hospitals in decarbonising outpatient activity. By integrating digital and physical care, TELEMED contributes to cleaner, greener healthcare systems.

The solution has been tested in

The TELEMED guidelines and models have been developed with input from:

FHAG (Spain)
FPG (Italy)
WPH (Finland)

For more information

Developer(s)

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS - Rome, Italy
David Korn
david.korn@guest.policlinicogemelli.it

Promotional video

The CARING NATURE project develops and tests 10 innovative solutions designed to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare systems while maintaining patient safety and quality of care. These solutions address the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in healthcare facilities while also strengthening governance and staff engagement for sustainable transformation.

The project provides practical tools, technologies, and operational approaches that hospitals and healthcare organisations can adopt to reduce their carbon footprint and improve environmental performance.

Governance and organisational transformation
Several solutions support healthcare organisations in planning and managing their green transition. These include knowledge-sharing platforms and decision-support systems that help hospitals assess environmental impacts, guide sustainability strategies, and involve staff in climate action.

Sustainable healthcare buildings and energy management
Digital tools and AI-powered systems help hospitals design and manage energy-efficient facilities, optimise building performance, and reduce emissions from heating, ventilation, and electricity consumption.

Circular waste management and resource recovery
A set of technological solutions tackles medical waste, food waste, and wastewater, enabling healthcare providers to reduce pollution and recover energy or resources through processes such as pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, and improved recycling strategies.

Low-carbon care through telemedicine
Digital healthcare solutions enable remote consultations and monitoring, reducing the environmental impact of patient travel while maintaining access to care.

Together, these solutions demonstrate how healthcare systems can transition toward sustainable, low-carbon operations, combining technological innovation, organisational change, and stakeholder engagement to support greener health and care services.

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