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The annual global Health Care Without Harm 2023 Climate Challenge Awards have lauded Netcare’s environmental initiatives, naming the South African healthcare group the Climate Champion of the African region.

“The ambitious environmental sustainability programme that we initiated ten years ago set us on the path to reaching this point, leading our continent’s efforts to lighten and mitigate healthcare’s environmental footprint for generations to come,” says Dr Richard Friedland, chief executive officer of Netcare.

 

“There is an old proverb that says the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the next best time is right now. In humbly accepting this award, Netcare hopes to plant the seed by encouraging all healthcare organisations to see the value in environmental innovation and to take up the challenge to build African solutions to the global threat of climate change.” The awards, organised by Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH), also recognised Netcare with gold Climate Action Awards for Climate Leadership and Climate Resilience, as well as a silver award for Climate Mitigation. Under this year’s new scoring criteria, Netcare was commended for its high achievements across more categories than any other participating organisation internationally for the fourth consecutive year. “We are very grateful for these awards and to be contributing towards pioneering the solutions that demonstrate the possibilities for healthcare in Africa to be more resource efficient, reduce emissions and make the necessary changes to help build a healthier environment for everyone while also reducing risk,” adds André Nortje, Netcare’s environmental sustainability manager. “Since Netcare commenced its environmental sustainability programme in 2013, we have consistently worked hard to achieve our targets and, in some cases, over-shoot the mark. From the baseline established in 2013, we have reduced our energy intensity by 39%. “We have seen first-hand how the spirit of continuous improvement and refinement over time creates vast opportunities for safeguarding the environment while potentially offsetting the effects of climate change.”

 

Among its environmental initiatives, 38 of Netcare’s 49 hospitals generate their own solar power. In addition to this, 32 other facilities make use of installed solar power systems across Netcare Medicross primary care facilities as well as the operations of Netcare Akeso.

The Group also achieved a 28% reduction in water consumption per bed at Group level between 2014 and 2023, and by 2030, aims to further reduce the company's impact on the natural potable water sources by implementing grey- and black-water recycling projects within selected facilities.

Netcare has set itself the challenge of reducing Scope 2 emissions to zero by using 100% of its electrical energy from renewable energy sources by 2030 and reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by a combined 84%. The healthcare group aims to achieve zero waste to landfills and a further 20% reduction in water consumption from limited freshwater resources.

“There is only one planet for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren to inherit. Healthcare and other sectors must urgently work together to find innovations to reduce the impacts on our environment and protect it for the future,” Dr Friedland concludes.  

Ends
 
Notes to editor

Looking for a medical appointment? Netcare appointmed™ will make appointments for YOU with specialists practising at Netcare hospitals, GPs, and dentists at Medicross medical and dental centres, and specialists at Akeso mental health facilities. Simply request an appointment online at www.netcare.co.za/Request-a-medical-appointment or phone Netcare appointmed™  on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays between 08:00 and 17:00.
 
To find out more about the services offered through Netcare hospitals and other of the Group’s facilities, please visit www.netcare.co.za or contact the Netcare customer service centre either by email at [email protected] or phone 0860 NETCARE (0860 638 2273). Note that the centre operates Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 16:00.
 
For media enquiries, contact MNA at the contact details listed below.
 
Issued by:  MNA on behalf of Netcare
For media enquiries contact:    Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, or Estene Lotriet-Vorster
Telephone:   (011) 469 3016
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