Healthcare’s Role in Climate Change with Irish Doctors for the Environment
Healthcare’s Role in Climate Change with Irish Doctors for the Environment
The built environment and of course, the environment in general, are inextricably linked to our health and well-being. With so much media coverage on climate change and biodiversity loss, it is hard to ignore these facts.
Places and people are also connected in various ways. The people who live in nature-blessed places have a higher chance of good health than those whose homes are in concrete jungles with little or no nature. We have investigated these topics in earlier episodes with guests such as Dr. Nadina Galle and Jane Findlay.
But did it ever occur to you that when a health issue affects you, your treatment may be bad for the environment?
This is the topic that Ciara O’Brien investigates in their interview with Dr. Lisa McNamee of Irish Doctors for the Environment.
“Healthcare is the fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter.”
Tune into this podcast episode below or on your preferred podcast app
Tune into this episode, to hear GP and sustainability lead Dr. Lisa McNamee unpack the true footprint of healthcare—and how smarter choices in clinics, hospitals, and our communities can cut emissions while improving patient outcomes.
From anaesthetic gases and inhalers to transport, food, and the built environment, Lisa shares practical, high-impact shifts for clinicians, health systems, and patients.
Why this conversation matters
Healthcare is a lifeline—but if it were a country, its emissions would rank among the world’s largest. Lisa explains how that reality became a call to action for her work with Irish Doctors for the Environment and the Irish College of General Practitioners, and why awareness inside medicine must catch up fast.
“We’re great at starting medications in medicine—but not as good at stopping them.”
Built environments shape health—and healthcare’s footprint. Lisa highlights how transportation to and from facilities drives a significant share of emissions.
Why safe walking/cycling access for staff and patients matters, and how site design and biodiversity in care settings support staff and patient well-being.
She also explores active travel, car-pooling after long shifts for safety, and hospital/clinic design that encourages movement and connection with nature.
Better asthma control means better health and a smaller footprint.
Key Themes and Takeaways
1) Where healthcare’s emissions really come from
Transport: Staff and patient travel in and out of hospitals and clinics is a huge contributor, especially where public transport or safe cycling routes are limited.
Consumables & waste: Single-use plastics are endemic; re-engineering and sterilisation pathways can help, but system change is needed.
Medications: Over-prescribing and poor deprescribing practices drive both patient risk and carbon waste; regular medication reviews are a high-impact fix.
Anaesthetic gases: Targeted reductions (e.g., nitrous oxide) show big carbon wins without compromising care.
2) Asthma, inhalers, and good control
Short-acting bronchodilators can carry large carbon footprints, yet clinically equivalent lower-impact options exist. The bigger lever? Better asthma control so patients need fewer rescue doses in the first place. Patients should ask their GP about optimising management—not only for the planet, but for their own long-term health.
3) Climate hazards showing up in clinic
Air pollution peaks worsen asthma and COPD; even healthy lungs feel the hit on bad days.
Heat stress disproportionately harms older people, those with heart failure, children, and pregnant women—driving health risks and migration pressures.
Microplastics: Detected across human tissues, including the brain and placenta—the health implications are still emerging, which makes upstream action urgent.
4) Food in healthcare: better for recovery, better for the climate
Colleagues across IDE are piloting plant-forward hospital food—reducing red/processed meat and dairy to lower emissions while supporting recovery and chronic disease prevention when replaced with nutritious plant-based options.
5) Practical actions for clinicians
Make medication reviews routine, especially in polypharmacy and at life-stage transitions; align treatment with patient goals and realistic benefit horizons.
Partner with pharmacists to minimise interactions and safely deprescribe.
Educate on inhaler choices and control plans; support recycling where available.
Model active travel where safe and feasible; support car-pooling and hybrid work/learning to cut unnecessary trips.
6) Practical actions for patients
Bring a written question list to appointments; ask, “Do I still need this?” for repeat meds.
Focus on movement and whole foods; make small, sustainable swaps (e.g., lentils for half the mince in a family bolognese).
Choose seasonal, more local produce where possible to cut “food miles.”
For severe period pain, painkillers are appropriate—but ask about underlying causes and options (e.g., hormonal methods) that can reduce pain and medicine use overall.
7) Conferences, flights, and fairness
Aviation’s footprint is personal and structural. Lisa advocates hybrid conferences for inclusion and carbon reduction—and candid, compassionate conversations about necessary travel.
8) Nature, design, and neuro-health
Social prescribing, green views, and biodiversity on health campuses help mental and cognitive health. Design choices that encourage daylight, greenery, movement (think inviting stairs and walkable layouts), and community reduce risk and aid recovery.
About Dr. Lisa McNamee
Dr Lisa McNamee is a medical doctor interested in sustainability and innovation. She holds honours degrees from Trinity College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and University College Dublin. She served for six years with the Irish Defence Forces as a Medical Officer. She is an aviation medical examiner in training and the primary care sustainability lead for IDE.
