Climate change and sustainability in the health sector

The department established Climate Health Victoria in 2024.

The role of Climate Health Victoria is to promote climate change and sustainability action in Victoria’s public health system and support emissions reduction.

CHV provides a range of resources to assist public health organisations with their climate change mitigation, adaptation, and sustainability performance.

Climate change mitigation

The Department of Health is working with the Victorian Health Building Authority, health services and funded agencies to implement a range of emission reduction initiatives. These include:

The Victorian Health Building Authority’s Energy Efficiency and Solar Program
Moving to 100% renewable energy as part of the Whole of Victorian Government Emissions Reduction Pledge.
Building all-electric hospitals with Melton Hospital to be Victoria’s first.
Collaborating with the Commonwealth on the delivery of the National Health and Climate Strategy including reducing the greenhouse impact associated with medical gases.
The department is working to better understand and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the sector’s supply chain and waste (Scope 3 emissions).

Health and Human Services Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2022-26

Under the Victorian Climate Change Act 2017 adaptation action plans need to be prepared for seven key systems including the health and human services system.

The Health and Human Services Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2022-26 aims to improve the resilience of the health and human services system to climate change through the implementation of 14 actions covering public and sector engagement, infrastructure resilience and sector capability.

The department partners with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing in the delivery of this plan. Updates to the plan will occur every five years as required by legislation.

Health and human services climate change adaptation action plan 2022-2026 (Word)

docx 1.45 MB

Health and human services climate change adaptation action plan 2022-2026

pdf 5.7 MB

Climate change and health - community resources

The department has developed community resources, including animated videos, to help raise awareness about the health impacts of climate change and actions the community can take to stay healthy.

Policy and Funding Guidelines for health services

The Policy and Funding Guidelines represent the system-wide terms and conditions for government-funded healthcare organisations, such as health services and hospitals.

Climate change and waste

Effective management of waste provides opportunities to reduce operational costs for health services.

Public environmental reporting guidelines

Guidelines to assist Victorian public healthcare services with public reporting of environmental data.

Reviewed 16 July 2024

Health.vic

Contact us

Climate Health Victoria Department of Health

chv@health.vic.gov.au