Sunway Medical Centre Velocity – Malaysia’s first hospital in the Race to Zero
Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) has proudly positioned itself as the first hospital in Malaysia to commit to Race To Zero, a global campaign spearheaded by the United Nations, aiming to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As a forward-thinking healthcare institution, SMCV is dedicated to playing a pivotal role in reducing environmental impact, both within the healthcare sector and the broader community.
SMCV’s Role in Sustainability Advocacy
SMCV’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its own operations. The hospital actively participates in a variety of advocacy efforts and educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the importance of climate action in healthcare, sharing its expertise and knowledge with other healthcare organizations through multiple platforms.
Key engagements include:
- Hosting and participating in the Global Green & Healthy Hospital Coffee Table Discussion for Malaysia and Singapore.
- Serving as facilitators for the Health Care Without Harm – Southeast Asia Climate Impact Check-up Tool Training of Trainers in the Philippines.
- Leading Climate Impact Check-up Training sessions in Penang, Malaysia.
- Participating in Health Care Climate Learning Initiatives for Race To Zero participants and GGHH members in Taiwan.
- Acting as panel speakers for training sessions on climate and health campaigns, advocating for the integration of climate action within the healthcare industry.
Measuring Progress
In line with Race To Zero’s mission, SMCV seeks to address critical issues related to sustainability and environmental health, by integrating sustainable practices into daily operations. It has been actively monitoring its carbon emissions and establishing targeted mitigation strategies to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030. SMCV has made significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint, with a notable decrease in CO2 emissions per occupied bed from 2020 to 2023 – reducing 130,385 kg/ CO2 per occupied bed in 2023 compared to the year before. The reduction in CO2 emissions per bed is a direct reflection of the hospital’s continuous efforts to optimize energy usage and adopt greener practices.
Recycling is another cornerstone of SMCV’s sustainability initiatives. Over the years, the hospital has significantly increased its efforts to collect recyclable waste, which has a direct impact on reducing landfill contributions. In 2023, SMCV successfully collected 39,337 kg of recyclable materials, a marked improvement from 8,443 kg in 2020.
This increase highlights the success of SMCV’s recycling programs, which are part of a broader strategy to reduce waste and encourage sustainability across the hospital.
The path forward
For its efforts, SMCV won two Awards and three Recognitions in the Southeast Asia Green Hospital Awards 2022 and Healthcare Asia Award 2023 – ESG Program of the Year.
As SMCV moves forward, it remains committed to its role in the Race To Zero campaign and to achieving the ambitious target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The hospital plans to continue refining its sustainability strategies, including expanding its recycling programmes, improving energy efficiency, and reducing emissions in every aspect of its operations.
By making meaningful strides in sustainability, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity is not only improving the health of its patients but also contributing to the health of the planet—a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness between environmental health and human health.
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