Sanidad #PorElClima recognise climate action in the healthcare sector in their fifth edition

Photo credit: Sanidad #PorElClima (ECODES)

On 8 October 2026, ECODES and GSK celebrated the fifth edition of the #PorElClima Healthcare Awards, recognising 11 initiatives contributing to healthcare decarbonisation across Spain. The awards highlight the sector's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and integrate environmental sustainability into healthcare management and clinical practice.

Healthcare accounts for more than 4.4% of global net greenhouse gas emissions, according to the WHO. Reducing this footprint requires action not only on buildings and energy consumption, but also on healthcare delivery, procurement, mobility, waste management and clinical practices.

This year's awards recognised three hospitals, three primary care initiatives, three specialised hospital services, one regional health service and, for the first time, a national scientific society. The winning projects demonstrate practical, innovative and replicable approaches to reducing healthcare's environmental impact.

In primary care, the Cuenca Integrated Healthcare Management Area is working to eliminate fossil fuel use in urban health centres through district heating, electrification and shared renewable energy. Tres Cantos Health Centre promotes planetary health through collaboration with local authorities and communities, while the Santiago de Compostela and Barbanza Health Area is reducing patient travel through mobile radiology services.

Among specialised hospital services, Hospital Clínic Barcelona is improving the environmental performance of dialysis by optimising energy and water consumption, waste management and emissions monitoring. Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital is reducing the environmental footprint of radiotherapy through fewer treatment sessions and more efficient material use. Hospital La Fe is promoting sustainable intensive care by avoiding unnecessary tests, treatments and materials without compromising patient safety.

At hospital level, Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital combines BREEAM environmental certification with a community garden; Araba University Hospital integrates biomass, geothermal and solar energy into healthcare infrastructure; and Virgen del Rocío University Hospital is modernising its heating and cooling systems to improve energy efficiency.

At the regional level, the Canary Islands Health Service was recognised for its Net Zero Health 2030 programme, which promotes renewable energy, sustainable mobility, waste management and smart systems.

A major development in this fifth edition was the introduction of a special recognition for scientific societies. The Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) received the award for its SEPAR Verde initiative, integrating planetary health into respiratory clinical practice, training and research. Other participating scientific societies were also acknowledged for their climate commitments.

The ceremony, held at GSK's Auditorium in Tres Cantos, Madrid, brought together healthcare professionals, scientific societies and institutional representatives. Discussions addressed the transformation of healthcare systems in response to climate change, while a representative of Spain's Ministry of Health highlighted national priorities for decarbonisation, adaptation and climate resilience.

Through these awards, Sanidad #PorElClima seeks to encourage the replication of successful initiatives and accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient healthcare system.

Photo caption: Representatives of the healthcare organisations recognised at the 2026 Sanidad #PorElClima Awards, held on 8 October 2026 at the GSK Auditorium in Tres Cantos, Madrid.