Institutional participation and a cross-cutting vision
The event began with an institutional welcome from Rosa Garcia, Economic-Financial Director of Clínic, Susana Puig, Director of IDIBAPS, and Quique Bassat, Director of ISGlobal, who also participated on behalf of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, excusing the absence of Dr. Antoni Trilla, Dean of the Faculty. They emphasized the importance of collaboration between institutions to face environmental challenges from a “One Health” perspective.
The opening conference featured meteorologist Gemma Puig, who warned about the climate emergency, and Dr. Maite Martín, who advocated for an integrative approach to protecting public health.
Throughout the morning, topics such as the effects of climate change on health, the environmental impact of healthcare and research activities, and the sustainable management of processes and infrastructures were discussed. Professionals from Clínic, IDIBAPS, and ISGlobal shared experiences and best practices, highlighting the key role of the health sector in combating the climate crisis.
The closing of the event was led by Dr. Josep M. Campistol, General Director of Clínic Barcelona.
Campus Clínic SDG Awards: recognition for sustainable innovation
One of the highlights was the presentation of the first Campus Clínic SDG Awards, which recognized projects and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability. A total of 31 entries were submitted, ranging from implemented projects to future proposals, reflecting the diversity and commitment of campus professionals.
The award winners were:
Hospital Clínic Barcelona
- 1st prize for the project “Building a sustainable dialysis unit: a decade of progress at Hospital Clínic,” in the implemented projects category. The Dialysis Unit has managed to reduce more than 130 tonnes of CO₂e annually and optimize water and energy consumption.
- 1st prize for the future initiative “Plantar. The project that unites care, the environment, and people.” This proposal, aimed at oncology patients, offers a holistic approach and integrates nature and well-being into their care.
- 2nd prize for the project “Proactive management of expiries: optimizing medicines in the outpatient unit,” in the implemented projects category. This project used a cross-disciplinary and collaborative methodology within the Pharmacy Service and achieved a reduction of more than 7% in the expiry rate.
IDIBAPS
- 1st prize for the energy analysis and optimization project at CEK, within the implemented projects category. The project analyzed energy consumption at CEK, identified consumption patterns, and proposes strategies applicable to highly technical buildings such as biomedical laboratories.
- 1st prize for the project “Staff training on sustainable practices implemented by the institution,” in the future initiatives category. The goal is to raise awareness among professionals in a dynamic and interactive way to improve adherence to sustainable practices.
- 2nd prize for the future initiative “Ecomputing: Towards more sustainable data storage.” The proposal aims to transform the way digital data is managed and stored.
ISGlobal
- 1st prize in the future initiatives category for the project “Cycling to work.” This proposal focuses on promoting active, low-emission mobility.
- 1st prize for the project “Urban green spaces of the future: balancing soil water content, biodiversity, and mental well-being in the face of climate change (BIOWATER),” in the implemented projects category. The aim is to generate knowledge about the importance of urban green spaces as environments that store water, provide refuge for biodiversity, and offer restorative spaces.
- 2nd prize in the implemented projects category for the project “Urban health citizen laboratory,” which promotes a participatory space integrating citizen science and social innovation to address major health challenges in urban environments, empowering local communities.
A commitment to the future
The Environmental Sustainability Day at Campus Clínic has made it clear that people’s health and the health of the planet are inseparable. With the involvement of professionals and institutions, the Campus reaffirms its leadership in integrating sustainability into care, research, and management, moving towards a healthier and more environmentally friendly future.
You can see all the Conference's pictures here:
