Country Correspondent: Aisha Gomez
In an official statement, Associate Health Minister Julie-Anne Gerber congratulated the Counties Manukau District Health Board (DHB) on its success in reducing its carbon footprint and setting an example for the rest of the health care system. Since the DHB started measuring its carbon emissions in 2012, it has reduced emissions by 21 percent through initiatives such as using reusable cups, using different anesthetic gases, providing commuter share-ride programs, and recycling. In parallel, the DHB has realized cost savings of NZD $500,000. The New Zealand health care industry contributes 3 percent to 8 percent of the country’s total greenhouse emissions. Counties Manukau DHB is responsible for planning and delivering health services for more than half a million Kiwis and was the first Pacific region participant in the 2020 Health Care Climate Challenge coalition that also includes Kaiser Permanente (USA) and NHS England’s Sustainable Development Unit.
Source
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/healthcare-sector-committed-reducing-carbon-footprint
https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/new-zealand-listener/20171027/281758449540228
