Documents & Publications

Closing gaps: Techniques and solutions for reducing pharmaceutical residuals in the Baltic Sea region

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

Sustainability in MedTech Design: Methods, Tools and Practice

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. 

Nordic Know-How #8 Financing Energy and Climate-Smart Healthcare

Click on the image to access the eighth report in the Nordic Know-How series.

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.

Nordic Know-How #7 Cooling Systems

Click on the image to access the seventh report in the Nordic Know-How series: Cooling systems.

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.

Health Use Case – Visualising the effect of a realized Vision 2030 on Nordic businesses

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.

Nordic Know-How #6 District Heating & Cooling

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.

On Indian Health Facilities, Sustainability & Climate Resilience

In this report, you find key takeaways from a Swedish/Indian webinar on building climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities. Focused on knowledge sharing, the report highlights the need to tailor Swedish solutions to fit the Indian context – for a holistic view on healthcare.

Healthcare & Sustainable Infrastructure in Developing Countries

How can healthcare drive sustainable infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries? This report summarises workshop discussions around this issue from 4 May 2021, in which a broad set of stakeholders participated. Want to learn more about the opportunities for sustainable healthcare? Give it a read!

Nordic Know-How #5 Renewable Energy Production

This is the fifth chapter in the Nordic Know-How series, this time on the topic of renewable energy production for hospitals. The report contains of some background information about renewable energy  and its environmental impact, as well as examples of different technologies and installations in Swedish hospitals. 

This report series is created by Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare within the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy and Climate Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Life Science, Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal

NCSH has, on behalf of Business Region Gothenburg, developed 2 different matrices that will serve as a guide in how Life Science companies & organisations can work with the global goals. In addition to these two matrices, a third matrix has also been created as a guide to the European Green Deal. A shorter report has also been produced in connection with this, containing some background information for the matrices and instructions for use. 

MATRICES

Read the report in Swedish here

2020 report on Energy and Climate Smart Healthcare 

In this report, we have gathered information on various solutions for energy and climate smart healthcare that are suitable for internationalization. The report is written on behalf of the Swedish Energy Agency as part of the project Platform for Internationalization: Energy and climate smart healthcare. 

Please note that the report is written in Swedish.

Nordic Know-How #4 Ventilation

This is the fourth chapter of the Nordic Know-How series, this time on the topic of ventilation in healthcare. The report contains of some background information about ventilation and its environmental impact, as well as examples of different technologies and installations in Swedish hospitals. 

This report series is created by Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare within the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy and Climate Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Youtube: NCSH2020

The Nordic Conference on Sustainable Healthcare 2020 is now available to watch online. Click on the picture to go to NCSH's youtube channel where you can find all sessions from the conference. 

Nordic Know-How #3 Lighting

This is the third chapter of the Nordic Know-How series, this time on the topic of Lighting in a hospital environment. In this report, we present some examples of lighting technologies and also some good examples of Swedish hospitals with successful installations. 

This report series is created by Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare within the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy and Climate Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Article on Sustainable Healthcare - Written by Amina Pereno and Daniel Eriksson

A Multi-stakeholder perspective on sustainable healthcare: From 2030 onwards. This article written by Amina Pereno and Daniel Eriksson is available for free until September 16. Click on the cover to the left to read the full article. 

Nordic Know-How #2 Geothermal Energy

This is the second chapter of the Nordic Know-How series, this time on the topic of Geothermal Energy. This report series is created by Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare within the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy and Climate Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Watch the Geothermal Energy Webinar on NCSH's youtube channel Here >>

Nordic Know-How #1 Nitrous Oxide Destruction

This spring, we will present a new series of reports in which each report will focus on a specific solution and best practices within sustainable healthcare. This first chapter will focus on: Nitrous Oxide Destruction. 

This report series is created by Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare within the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy and Climate Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Report: Energy and Climate Smart Healthcare (Swedish)

As part of the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy- and Climate Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency, NCSH has produced a report focused on energy- and climate smart healthcare solutions in Sweden and all around the world.

The report is written in Swedish, contact us if you´re interested in reading the conclusions in English.

Brochure: Towards Climate Neutral and Fossil Free Healthcare With Swedish Knowledge and Experience

This brochure was made as part of the project Platform for Internationalisation: Energy- and Climate Smart Healthcare, financed by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Brochure: Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare

This is an information brochure about Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare. It is a description of who we are, what we can offer you, and what challenges we address.

Paper: Nordic Sustainable Healthcare

Why are the Nordics frontrunners in sustainable healthcare, and is there something others can learn?
This white paper was made as part of the "Nordic Welfare Solutions" project run by Nordic Innovation. The project is one of six flagship projects under the Nordic prime ministers' Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges initiative and is coordinated by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Guideline: Sustainability work in Life Science (Swedish)

As a part of the project "The worlds most sustainable healthcare 2030" funded by Swedish Innovation Agency, NCSH with partners has developed a guideline for primarily small and medium sized Life Science companies.

The guideline is currently only available in swedish, but there are plans to translate it to other languages and country specific content.

Report: Best Practice - Swedish Energy Efficient Healthcare (Swedish)

In 2017 NCSH published a report which gives an overview of best practices from Swedish innovative energy efficiency projects, solutions, buildings and more.

The report is written in Swedish, contact us if you´re interested in reading the conclusions in English.

Report: Green Textiles in Healthcare

NCSH collaborated withPlanMiljøin a project which focused on the green procurement of hospital textiles. The aim of the project was to encourage and assist hospitals and regional authorities in the Nordic region in moving towards a more sustainable procurement of healthcare textiles.

A guide on green procurement of hospital textiles was developed and released in 2017.

Report: Sustainable Healthcare - A National Swedish Innovation Agenda (Swedish) 

This report was financed by the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova and Formas and published in 2015 by TEM as an innovation agenda for sustainble healthcare.

The greatest success in working with this agenda was the establishment of Nordic Center for Sustainable Healthcare!

Report: Sustainable Healthcare - A National Swedish Innovation Agenda (English)

This is a shorter english version of the report above.