EIT Health Germany-Switzerland “Climate and Health” Expert Focus Group

Climate change and healthcare are deeply interconnected, presenting both pressing challenges and exciting opportunities for innovation. At an expert focus group hosted by EIT Health Germany-Switzerland in Munich, leading professionals from healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medtech, and academia came together to explore sustainable solutions at the intersection of these critical fields. 

The event spotlighted pioneering approaches, including “Green AI”, introduced by Prof. Dr Björn Eskofier, which harnesses satellite data to support climate-friendly strategies, and sustainable energy solutions for hospitals presented by Siemens AG’s Julia Duna. Discussions also covered eco-friendly production processes in pharmaceuticals and strategies for carbon-neutral patient care. 

Key themes included building resilient healthcare systems, regulatory and policy innovation, and the importance of international collaboration. Participants called for incentives such as interest-free loans for green projects and emphasised the need to upskill healthcare professionals with targeted training programmes. 

EIT Health’s role as a neutral platform for collaboration, standardisation, and funding was underlined, with commitments to supporting sustainable healthcare solutions across Europe. Next steps include publishing further white papers, organising regional initiatives, and promoting sustainable innovation through strategic financial mechanisms. 

Discover the full insights and recommendations by downloading the report here.