- Significant energy-related emissions from the HSE estate (approximately 19% of public sector energy use in 2019).
- Lack of a database on open green sites across the HSE.
- Challenges associated with operationalisation of the introduction of clean vehicles/EVs.
- HSE does not actively integrate environmental considerations into contract and procurement decisions.
- High consumption of single-use plastics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Slow progress in implementing the Department of Health’s Health Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan (2019-2024) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Service Executive (HSE)
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2023-2050 reporting, Health Service Executive (HSE) disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 199kt CO2e in 2020 (Scope 1 and 2). Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
199kt CO2e in 2020 (Scope 1 and 2)
2023-2050
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2023-2050 | 199kt CO2e in 2020 (Scope 1 and 2) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Achieved a circa 26% improvement in energy efficiency between 2009 and 2019.
- Reduced emissions by 13.5% by the end of 2020 (against a 2016-2018 average baseline).
- Implemented a shallow energy retrofit engineering works programme, resulting in 27,106 MWh and 7,012 tonnes of CO2e reductions between 2019 and 2021.
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Develop a HSE green space framework and supporting implementation plan by the end of 2023.
- Develop a HSE Transport framework and supporting implementation plan by the end of 2023.
- Develop a mobility framework and implementation plan by the end of 2023.
- Develop a procured goods and services waste reduction framework and supporting implementation plan by the end of 2023.
- Develop a baseline for all HSE supply chain emissions by the end of 2023.
📅 Medium-term
- Reduce energy-related GHG emissions by 51% by 2030.
- Increase the improvement in energy efficiency in the public sector to 50% by 2030.
- Establish a credible decarbonisation trajectory for HSE supply chain emissions (no later than 2025).
- Reduce the CO2e emissions from inhalational anaesthetic agents by 50% by 2030.
🔭 Long-term
- Achieve a net-zero emission target by 2050.
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
Climate ChangeEnvironmental SustainabilitySocial SustainabilityGovernance