Reports

This is the NCSH Sustainable Healthcare Trend Report 2025

In the Sustainable Healthcare 2025 Trend Report, we explored the key innovations, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of greener, more resilient healthcare systems. From circular solutions to digital advancements and policy shifts, the report provides valuable insights for leaders navigating the transition toward a more sustainable industry. 

Note that this report is only available for members at NCSH: For the full report, e-mail us:

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Responsible authors: Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare – Diego Angelino, Evelien Fiselier, Johannes Brundin, Lars Andersen and Daniel Eriksson.

This report is part of the project DesHealth: A systemic design approach to education and training on sustainable healthcare.

The purpose of this article, a questionnaire (survey) was shared with relevant stakeholders to evaluate existing green skills in health care. The survey centred around questions of in terest in how today’s professional competen cies are meeting the participating organisa tions’ activities; what training processes are present; and why certain topics should be the focus in education during upcoming years. The DesHealth project partners conducted 18 interviews based on the survey, representing different stakeholders in EU countries.

Responsible authors: Stiftelsen TEM (Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare) – Felicia Hedetoft and Daniel Eriksson.

DesHealth is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency Erasmus+ INDIRE. Neither the European Union nor INDIRE can be held responsible for them.

This report is part of the project DesHealth: A systemic design approach to education and training on sustainable healthcare.

This article aims to present a range of good practices in sustainable healthcare, collected by the partners of the DesHealth project, which can serve both The fields investigated are: PRODUCTS as references to current and workable cases and as inspirations for future topics in education and training. These good practices are categorised into three main areas: Products, Healthcare Providers, and Research & Other Initiatives.

Responsible authors: Stiftelsen TEM (Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare) – Felicia Hedetoft and Daniel Eriksson

DesHealth is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency Erasmus+ INDIRE. Neither the European Union nor INDIRE can be held responsible for them.

This report is part of the project DesHealth: A systemic design approach to education and training on sustainable healthcare.

The content of the report builds on scope 1: direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the organisation, such as fossil fuels burned in company vehicles or production plants. Scope 2: indirect emissions from the energy pur chased and consumed by the organisation, such as electricity. Scope 3: Indirect emissions in the value chain: business travel, operational waste, and product usage.

Responsible authors: Daniel Eriksson, Amina Pereno, Davide Nonis

DesHealth is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency Erasmus+ INDIRE. Neither the European Union nor INDIRE can be held responsible for them.

This report is part of the project DesHealth: A systemic design approach to education and training on sustainable healthcare.

The content of the report builds on joint research and interviews carried out by the project partners to understand the design and management issues of health systems, as well as to identify the professional competencies and green skills required by the health sector. Examples of good practices will be presented as references to current and workable cases of Sustainable Healthcare, with the goal of informing and inspiring future topics in education and training.

Responsible authors: Stiftelsen TEM (Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare) – Felicia Hedetoft and Daniel Eriksson

DesHealth is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency Erasmus+ INDIRE. Neither the European Union nor INDIRE can be held responsible for them.

The Erasmus + project Circle Health has made available this tool kit, which includes a guideline and best practices. Partners in the project are NCSH and the Association of Non-Medical Healthcare Managers (SNKOZ) in Poland.

The tool kit is informed by the results of the project and is a complement for trainings offered in Malmö (Sweden) and Olsztyn (Poland) during 2023. All products are designed for healthcare workers in operative, non-medical functions from Sweden and Poland.

With the aim of building competence and green skills, the tool kit is an option for innovative curricula for vocational training.

Authors and editors of the guidelines: Diego Angelino (NCSH) and Marcin Kautsch (SNKOZ)

Read guidelines in Polish >>

Circle Health is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

This report marks the culmination of a project developed by a consortium led by the Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare (NCSH), including ScanBalt BioRegion and LBTA in a common effort with Business Region Göteborg, funded by the Swedish Institute.

The project was implemented in three countries (Sweden, Estonia and Lithuania), with the aim to identify practical solutions (practices, methods, techniques and technologies) throughout the value chain of pharmaceuticals to reduce the amount of residues (residuals) in the Baltic Sea. This included the organisation of three workshops, desk research, as well as the implementation of interviews with relevant stakeholders.

'Closing gaps' fosters collaboration across the Baltic Sea region and suggests that effective implementation and sharing of existing practices and technical solutions can be accelerated by identifying existing gaps among the countries involved and fostering collaboration with a cross-sectoral perspective.

Authors from NCSH: Diego Angelino (editor) and Caroline Charlier.

'Closing gaps: Techniques and solutions for reducing pharmaceutical residuals in the Baltic Sea region' is funded by the Swedish Institute.

A handbook for MedTech professionals, through the lens of sustainability. Download and read the book by clicking the image.

"The effects of climate change on human health are gaining attention worldwide. Healthcare systems suffer these impacts while being responsible for 4.4% of global CO2 emissions: new sustainable solutions are urgently needed. MedTech is a key industry to drive this transition. However, has not been targeted with sustainability demand to the same extent as manufacturing industries in other sectors. This has been changing in recent years and the current pandemic has further sharpened the concerns of EU health systems for their environmental impacts. The demand for green procurement, sustainable products/services, and higher environmental standards is set to increase dramatically.

This book provides knowledge and tools for MedTech professionals seeking an in-depth understanding of the sector through the lens of sustainability. It presents a broad panorama of topics, including sustainable product development, governance and business strategies, and circular economy. It also provides practical insights and tangible strategies for designers and managers to embrace emerging trends in sustainable medical technology, enabling them to navigate the evolving industry landscape."

Authors: Silvia Barbero, Hjalmar Bardh Olsson (NCSH), Izabela Czeremcha, Daniel Eriksson (NCSH), Eugenio Mimosi, Amina Pereno.

'Sustainability in MedTech Design: Methods, Tools and Practice' is part of the project SysteMA, funded by EIT Manufacturing. 

This report addresses the topic of financing energy and climate-smart healthcare, focused specifically on hospitals' green transition in Sweden. It aims to collect, summarise and make accessible different ways to go about and approach such funding. 

We hope that you will find the samples of examples inspirational for your own context and area of expertise.

Authors: Felicia Hedetoft (editor), Diego Angelino, Daniel Eriksson and Hjalmar Bardh Olsson.

The Nordic Know-How series is created within the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy and Climate-Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.

This report includes the most updated and relevant solutions installed and evaluated at Nordic hospitals. It is written together with BELOK through CIT Energy Management. Decision-makers will be provided with overarching knowledge of the systems’ significance, the technologies on the market and the main concepts, supported by practical lessons.

The Nordic Know-How series is created within the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy and Climate-Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.

In 2030, the Nordics will be the world's most sustainable and integrated health region – providing the best possible personalized healthcare for all its citizens.

Alongside partners in the Health Use Case (HUSCA) project, we at NCSH are envisioning what an innovative and connected Nordic region would look like if health data were shared seamlessly across public-private partnerships in the region. 

Read the report "Health Use Case – Visualising the effect of a realized Vision 2030 on Nordic businesses" by clicking image.

The HUSCA project is initiated and funded by Nordic Innovation.

Here you find the sixth chapter in the Nordic Know-How series, this time in the field of district heating and cooling.

The report covers experiences as well as examples from Swedish hospitals, where district heating and cooling has been implemented as an energy source. From it, you will gain an introduction to the technology and to the advantages of district heating and cooling as a reliable energy source for hospital buildings.

The Nordic Know-How series is created within the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy and Climate Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.