ABSTRACT
The World Bank has estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the Indian health sector to be between 8 million and 14 million mtCO2e. These emissions are primarily contributed through energy use, manufacturing and use of various healthcare products, transport and the ultimate disposal of waste generated from healthcare services. Therefore, mobilising the health sector towards adoption of mitigation strategies is necessary to reduce its share in GHG emissions. The health sector significantly contributes to the total waste load of a country. It generates large quantities of infectious, non-infectious, general and hazardous chemical waste. An enormous amount of energy is spent in treatment and disposal of this waste. The development and adoption of low carbon and resilient technologies are essential in order to bring in health and economic benefits. This chapter looks at practices in waste management and disposal, including future sustainable strategies, that will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the potential for climate change mitigation from healthcare establishments. Climate-smart and clean waste disposal mechanisms will not only promote the development and supply of sustainable products but will also prepare the health sector towards climate-related health hazards.
