Facing the global challenge of climate change, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital actively responds to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, striving to achieve net-zero transformation by 2050. Our goal is to build a sustainable medical center that integrates both humanistic care and environmental responsibility.
The hospital has established the “Sustainable Development Management Committee” to coordinate diverse initiatives such as energy conservation and carbon reduction, resource recycling, digital governance, and green procurement, creating a scientific and systematic framework for sustainability promotion.
Confronted with the high energy demands of the healthcare environment, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital values every resource and upholds its commitment to protect the Earth by actively implementing various energy-saving and carbon-reduction measures. These efforts encompass building facility optimization, improving energy and water efficiency, waste management, and guiding staff behavior—demonstrating a comprehensive commitment and responsibility toward environmental governance.
We continuously advance the following concrete actions:
Implementation of Environmental Sustainability and Climate Governance at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital
- Comply with government environmental regulations and related requirements, actively participate in global sustainability initiatives;
- Implement ISO 14064-1:2018 greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory standards to enhance carbon emission data quality and transparency;
- Reduce raw material waste and improve energy efficiency, steadily promote circular economy practices;
- Strengthen internal and external promotion and communication to raise consensus and participation on sustainability and carbon management among all staff.
Key Environmental Sustainability Achievements:
| Issue | Specific Actions and Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Carbon Reduction and Energy Management | • Upgraded energy-saving equipment: 2,503 lighting fixtures, 2,600 RT of air conditioning units, 116 refrigerators, 560 fans • Upgraded 8 elevators with energy-saving features, cumulatively saving 73,913 kWh of electricity and reducing 36.6 metric tons of CO₂ emissions • Neon lights reduced operation by 2 hours daily, saving approximately 178,000 kWh annually and reducing 88 metric tons of CO₂ emissions |
| Water Resource Management | • Replaced 205 water-saving faucets between 2022 and 2024, estimated water savings of 30% • Lowered hot water supply temperature in Internal Medicine Building to 55°C, reducing energy and water consumption • Regularly monitor water quality and wastewater discharge; legally report and disclose information |
| Waste Management | • Implemented waste segregation system for general garbage, recyclables, infectious waste, and food waste • Achieved 160 metric tons of recyclables and 7.5 metric tons of food waste recycled from 2022 to 2024 • Provided classification training for new employees and outsourced cleaning staff |
| Expired/Unused Medication Management | • Installed collection bins with pharmacists assisting classification and education to ensure safe handling • Classified waste includes needles, antibiotics, liquid medications, all legally incinerated • Implemented procurement volume control and inventory management to prevent medication waste |
Climate Governance and Risk Management
To deepen systematic and forward-looking sustainability actions, the hospital has developed a climate risk management and adaptation strategy aligned with TCFD framework and government policies, promoting climate governance tailored to medical institutions, detailed as follows.
3.1 Climate Governance
In line with global net-zero transition trends and ISO 14064-1:2018 standards, the hospital completed its first comprehensive GHG inventory in 2024, covering the main campuses (Daqing and Wenxin) and Zhongxing branch, establishing organizational boundaries and emission inventories as the foundation for climate governance.
To comply with government 2050 net-zero targets and TCFD disclosure guidelines, the hospital will analyze carbon reduction potential, assess feasibility of reduction technologies, prioritize implementation, and set interim reduction goals for 2030 and 2040. The year 2024 serves as the baseline for ongoing emission monitoring, data disclosure, and progress tracking to enhance operational transparency and accountability.
According to the four core aspects of TCFD, the hospital’s climate governance includes:
| Core Aspect | Governance | Strategy | Risk Management | Metrics and Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disclosure Information | The board integrates climate issues and establishes a cross-departmental governance mechanism. | Promote energy-saving and adaptation actions to accelerate the net-zero transition layout. | Identify risks and seize opportunities by establishing an emergency management system. | Set targets and track performance, disclosing data based on inventory results. |
| Current Implementation at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital | Following the sustainability governance framework, the hospital has established clear climate governance levels. The board supervises major policy directions and execution progress, regularly receiving climate action reports from the hospital president. The president coordinates sustainability efforts, integrates resources, and reports to the board. The Sustainability Management Committee is responsible for strategy development and policy integration, forming task forces to promote cross-departmental action plans to ensure climate governance is embedded in daily operations. | Promote energy transition by implementing solar photovoltaic and smart energy management systems, replacing high-energy-consuming equipment such as air conditioners, lighting, and refrigerators, while simultaneously evaluating green alternatives and building adaptation measures to gradually improve operational energy efficiency and climate resilience. | Establish standardized inventory procedures to monitor emission hotspots including energy, transportation, refrigerants, and pharmaceuticals, serving as the basis for priority management and carbon reduction actions. | Based on the 2024 greenhouse gas inventory results, the hospital plans to incorporate the data into the board’s formal review process, formulate phased carbon reduction targets for 2030 and 2040, and establish medium- to long-term target tracking and disclosure mechanisms. |
Climate Risk and Opportunity Assessment
Using TCFD and Taiwan Climate Change Information Platform (TCCIP) impact factors, the hospital categorizes climate issues into transition risks, physical risks, and potential opportunities, analyzing financial impacts and timelines to guide risk management and resource allocation. Key ongoing actions include:
- Establishing annual climate risk assessments, updating impact factors and business relevance;
- Integrating high-risk issues (e.g., insufficient energy-efficient equipment, extreme weather) into contingency plans and procurement strategies;
- Expanding climate opportunity initiatives, such as renewable energy, low-carbon healthcare, and telemedicine;
- Enhancing ESG talent development and internal communication to improve organizational resilience and cross-department collaboration.
Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As a medical institution, direct control over medical equipment power use is limited due to patient safety, but administrative and facility equipment (lighting, air conditioning, refrigerators) are continuously upgraded for efficiency. The 2024 GHG inventory was conducted following ISO 14064-1:2018 standards, covering main campuses and branch, with third-party verification ensuring data accuracy and transparency.
Energy use totaled 116,886.45 GJ in 2024, mainly from purchased electricity (94.76%), followed by gasoline (3.32%), natural gas (0.93%), LPG (0.65%), and diesel (0.34%). The hospital aims to improve electricity efficiency and gradually introduce renewable and low-carbon alternatives.
Total GHG emissions in 2024 amounted to 19,759.40 metric tons CO₂e, dominated by scope 2 (purchased electricity) at 73.81%, reflecting electricity’s major role in energy consumption. Direct emissions from medical gases such as N₂O and anesthetics were also included, highlighting the unique challenges in healthcare carbon management.
Waste Management
Understanding waste management’s dual importance for environmental protection and infection control, the hospital enforces comprehensive classification systems compliant with the Waste Disposal Act. Waste categories include:
- General waste (incinerated after pre-sorting)
- Recyclables (paper, metals, glass, plastics)
- Kitchen waste (recycled)
- Infectious medical waste (segregated by combustibility, stored in color-coded containers, incinerated by certified handlers)
- Chemical and chemotherapy waste (managed with leak-proof containers and classified under genotoxic waste regulations)
Training is mandatory for new staff and outsourced cleaning personnel. Patients and families receive classification information during admission to reduce errors.
Pharmaceutical Waste Management
A collection system with pharmacist oversight ensures safe handling of expired or unused drugs. Public drop-off bins are available, and collected items are managed according to regulations, including needles, antibiotics, liquid drugs, and controlled substances. Procurement and inventory controls prevent waste by demand forecasting, regular stocktaking, and supplier quality management.
Expired drug disposal involves sealed classification, professional recycling, and thorough record-keeping to ensure environmental safety and compliance.
Water Management
With high water demand linked to patient care and cooling systems, the hospital emphasizes sustainable water management. Upgrading to water-saving faucets (205 units replaced by 2024, achieving ~30% water savings), lowering hot water temperatures, routine water quality testing, and compliant wastewater treatment ensure resource efficiency and safety.
Future plans include IoT-enabled smart water meters for real-time monitoring and optimization, community partnerships, and annual water management reporting to support ESG goals.