Sustainability

Energy efficiency and management

Accredited by ISO 50001 since 2017, energy management and efficiency are key elements of our sustainability commitment. Our goal is to reduce fossil fuel usage by 51% by 2030, aligned with the Irish government’s Climate Action Plan.

Initiatives include:

• Renewable Energy Partnership: Through an agreement with Carrig Wind Farm, 47% of our electricity is now generated from renewable sources. This progresses alongside Ireland's goal of achieving 80% grid decarbonisation by 2030.
• Heat Pumps: Installation of heat pumps across all our locations, starting with Bon Secours Hospital Tralee in 2023, resulted in a carbon reduction of 600 tonnes of CO2 and 1.6 million kWh of energy savings annually.
• Electric Steam Generation: We are planning to transition to electrified steam generation for surgical instrument sterilisation, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

We have invested €2.5 million in energy efficiency projects since 2017, saving 22.4 million kWh of energy—equivalent to the energy consumption of 1,475 homes annually. 

Reducing our carbon footprint

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint through various initiatives aimed at patients, staff, and suppliers.

Examples include:

• Electric Vehicles and Fast Chargers: Electric vehicle fast chargers have been installed at all hospital locations. Access to electric vehicles has been provided to staff members who frequently travel between sites.
• Green Flag Programme: We are pursuing Green Flag accreditation with An Taisce to further solidify our commitment to environmental responsibility. Feedback to date has been positive.
• Supply Chain Focus: We are actively addressing scope emissions through engagement with our suppliers, ensuring sustainable practices throughout our supply chain. Educational programmes are also in place for staff to support these efforts.

Waste management and recycling

Effective waste management is key to our sustainability strategy. Our approach to this focuses on best practices to benefit the community, economy, and environment.

Healthcare as an industry produces a large volume of waste material. ln 2023, Bon Secours Health System recycled 416 tonnes of waste through a number of mechanisms. These include:

• Municipal Waste: Recycled through incineration to generate electricity.
• Clinical Waste: Sterilised and re-purposed for energy generation.
• Green Recycling: Recycling 86 tonnes of green materials across our entire network, including 166 tonnes of cardboard, paper, pallets, and glass.
• Food Waste: Recycled to produce 164 tonnes of organic fertiliser in 2023.
• Electronic Waste: All end-of-life electrical components recycled through the WEEE initiative and old medical equipment donated to charities when replaced.

Water conservation

Bon Secours Health System is committed to responsible water use, recognising it as a precious and limited resource.

We work closely with Uisce Éireann on water stewardship and have developed a comprehensive water conservation programme across all our hospitals. Our water conservation efforts include:

• Water Meters and Sensors: Installation of water meters, sensor taps, and flow restrictors on faucets.
• Water Awareness Campaign: Educational initiatives to promote water conservation.
• Reduced Volume WC Units: Implementing water-saving technology across our sites.

Our Group Sustainability Officer, a certified water steward, oversees these initiatives to ensure we are conserving water effectively while maintaining high standards of care.