US Business Council for Sustainable Development Joins Houston Methodist Center for Critical Care to Establish the Green ICU Initiative

Houston, October 3, 2023 – The US Business Council for Sustainable Development has joined Houston Methodist Center for Critical Care to launch the Green ICU (Intensive Care Unit) Initiative. 

Goals of the Green ICU Initiative include cutting carbon emissions, establishing systematic material reuse, and implementing collaborative solutions by engaging partners throughout the Greater Houston area. 

The carbon footprint of the U.S. healthcare system is estimated to be 10% of national greenhouse gas (GHG) production. The carbon footprint of a U.S. hospital added up to 300 lbs. CO2-e per bed day for ICU patients – equivalent to emissions of a car driven about 600 miles per patient per day.

Initial Green ICU activity has centered on quantifying materials flowing in and out of the ICU. The team has also begun working with representatives of the ASTM Sustainability Committee (E60) and its medical subcommittee on standards for ICUs.

While green ICUs have been a focus for healthcare in other countries including Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, this appears to be the first of its kind in the United States. Leaders such as Dr. Heather Baid from Brighton University in the UK, Dr. Lousie Trent in New Zealand and Dr. Jean Louise Vincent from Brussels have also agreed to share best practices and join this emerging collaborative for sustainability in the ICU.