Healthcare facilities utilise large amounts of energy to provide essential medical care for newborns and children. Newborns and children are more vulnerable to diseases. Energy is required for the functioning of incubators, vaccine refrigeration, and other medical items. Higher energy demand leads to higher energy which results in air pollution if it is not from sustainable renewable sources.

Children, the elderly, and people living with diseases are more vulnerable to variations in and extremes of heat and cold.

Air pollution
Soil pollution
Water pollution
Deforestation
Climate change

Pollution related to energy generation, fuel sourcing and energy use

Additional energy supply is needed in order to ensure the security of energy supply for incubators, vaccine refrigeration, and other medical items. Energy generation and supply typically use fossil fuels which contribute to climate change and local air pollution. Energy use in health facilities can lead to the release of hazardous substances such as ammonia gas, oil, and solvents that can be further detrimental for the population’s health as well as for the environment (water and air pollution).

• Sourcing renewable energy supplies wherever possible
  Efficient health facility design to reduce the need for energy
• Efficient use of energy within health systems, including the provision of energy-efficient appliances which are regularly maintained

• Provision of energy from renewable sources significantly reduces costs over the long term, and benefits health locally and globally by reducing local air pollution and global climate change.
• Efficient health facility design to reduce the need for energy such as natural heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation, and use of insulation.
• Ensuring sustainable use of energy has various benefits including improved security of energy supply for operating theatres and incubators, providing hot water and improved medicines, and refrigerating vaccines, as well as decreased emissions of air pollutants with associated advantages for the health of the population.

The FCDO in responding to the Global Covid-19 response used returning staff repatriation flights to bring medical teams into countries, including Bangladesh. This both helped with the pandemic response and also reduced emissions from separate flights.

# of health facilities supplied with renewable energy

# of health facilities built or retrofitted with energy efficient design features and appliances

• Prevention of environmental damage
• Mitigation of environmental damage
• Environmental enhancement

• Time, money, and expertise to develop or source energy from renewable sources.
• Time, money, and expertise to design health facilities to reduce energy demand.