In developed economies, healthcare activities emit an enormous amount of greenhouse gases, according to an article on the Fortune website. 

If U.S. healthcare were a country, it would be the thirteenth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. U.S. healthcare is also responsible for 9 percent of the country’s air pollution, 12 percent of acid rain emissions, and 10 percent of smog-forming emissions. 

Hospitals can cut down on their greenhouse gases and other emissions. Gundersen Health System, a Wisconsin-based non-profit, implemented a large scale energy plan, including geothermal wells, methane capture from landfills and cow manure, wind power, solar hot water and an onsite biomass boiler. 

The hospital has saved $20.3 million since 2008. Their energy cost in 2018 was $1.98 per square foot versus $2.60 per square foot in 2008. This was despite having approximately 30 percent higher electricity prices compared to its 2008 baseline.

Read the article.