Climate change poses a significant threat to human health. While the healthcare sector addresses these challenges, it is also a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. Although digital health improves care efficiency, it also increases the sector’s carbon footprint. To mitigate this impact, promoting sustainable practices on the path toward digital maturity is crucial. France is committed to reducing the environmental impact of digital health on a national scale. The country has implemented measurement tools and ecoscores to help software developers assess and reduce the ecological footprint of their health solutions, including those of health applications, hospital information systems, and teleconsultation services. Additionally, Green IT initiatives have been launched by public and private hospitals, including eco-responsible purchasing, reusing heat from data centers, utilizing green search engines, saving energy by shutting down unused digital equipment, adopting conservative email practices, and managing the second life and end of life of electronic materials. Political support has facilitated legal and financial measures to create a favorable environment for green innovation and the adoption of environmentally-friendly technologies. By coordinating actions at all levels, France aims to make digital health a model of sustainability while continuing to enhance the quality and accessibility of care for everyone.

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Green IT to Reduce Healthcare’s Climate Impact: The French Approach

  • Rudy Chouvel,
  • Laurie Marrauld,
  • Emeline Flinois,
  • Marie-Claire Viez,
  • Nathalie Baudiniere,
  • Brigitte Seroussi

摘要

Climate change poses a significant threat to human health. While the healthcare sector addresses these challenges, it is also a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. Although digital health improves care efficiency, it also increases the sector’s carbon footprint. To mitigate this impact, promoting sustainable practices on the path toward digital maturity is crucial. France is committed to reducing the environmental impact of digital health on a national scale. The country has implemented measurement tools and ecoscores to help software developers assess and reduce the ecological footprint of their health solutions, including those of health applications, hospital information systems, and teleconsultation services. Additionally, Green IT initiatives have been launched by public and private hospitals, including eco-responsible purchasing, reusing heat from data centers, utilizing green search engines, saving energy by shutting down unused digital equipment, adopting conservative email practices, and managing the second life and end of life of electronic materials. Political support has facilitated legal and financial measures to create a favorable environment for green innovation and the adoption of environmentally-friendly technologies. By coordinating actions at all levels, France aims to make digital health a model of sustainability while continuing to enhance the quality and accessibility of care for everyone.