Santiago de Compostela, November 29, 2023

The Galician Health Service, for adopting low-carbon healthcare practices, implementing strong climate resilience strategies and promoting policies that protect the health of the planet, has achieved two gold awards in the 2023 edition of the Climate Health Challenge organized by the Health Care Without Harm organization, with the categories climate leadership and climate resilience. In addition, this world-class non-governmental organization awarded awards to each of Galicia’s seven health sectors.

Xunta’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint in the health sector, recognized since 2020 in the Climate Health Challenge, is supported by this international recognition, which explores Sergas’ pioneering role as the only European health system participating as a partner in the health sector. New European Bauhaus – a project supporting sustainable construction to improve the quality of life. In addition, Servizo Galego de Saúde is the only Spanish health institution involved in the UN project that seeks to achieve zero carbon emissions in health facilities by 2040. In line with this, Galicia health also has other ongoing programs such as Life Resistal, for improve health. climate-resilient infrastructure, or Plastic Free Healthcare Europe 2.0, to reduce plastic use in hospitals.

The awards given in this edition place Spain among the most awarded in the world thanks to Sergas, the only recognized national health system in Europe along with hospital services from Germany, Greece, Poland and the UK. Therefore, Galicia’s commitment is considered a benchmark in leading efforts towards climate-smart health services.

In the Climate Health Challenge, the health sector in Vigo and A Coruña and Cee was also awarded the gold medal in climate mitigation; with silver awards in climate leadership, from Santiago de Compostela and Barbanza and Lugo, A Mariña and Monforte; and, as part of the climate commitment group in the healthcare sector, the regions of Ferrol, Ourense, Verín and O Barco de Valdeorras and Pontevedra and O Salnés.

Therefore, Galicia continues to promote policies that protect public health from the impacts of climate change, with a commitment to a sustainable and circular health system.