Driving Carbon Footprint Management in the Hospital Business: A Case Study of a Private Hospital in Surat Thani Province

Abstract

This research aimed to: (1) examine the overall operational activities of each department within the hospital business; (2) investigate departmental activities contributing to waste generation, carbon dioxide emissions, and electricity consumption; and (3) propose policy and practical recommendations for reducing the carbon footprint of each department in the hospital business to provide a benchmark for other organizations and to drive Thailand’s low-carbon health initiatives forward. A qualitative research approach was employed using a purposive case study of a private hospital in Surat Thani Province, Thailand. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 12 key informants, including senior executives, department heads, and operational personnel directly responsible for carbon footprint-related activities and with at least one year of work experience in the organization. Non-participant observation and documentary analysis were also conducted. The study applied the Carbon Footprint for Organization (CFO) framework based on the guidelines of the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization), integrated with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO 14064-1:2018 standards. Research instruments were assessed for content validity and Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) by three experts. Data were analyzed using content analysis and validated through triangulation techniques.

The findings revealed that the carbon footprint development process in the case-study private hospital consisted of five key components: (1) executive leadership and strong policy commitment; (2) systematic identification and classification of greenhouse gas emission activities according to Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3; (3) participation of personnel at all organizational levels and the promotion of a green organizational culture; (4) investment in clean energy technologies, including solar energy systems, refrigerant replacement, infectious waste management, and energy-efficient air-conditioning systems; and (5) integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and Sustainable Healthcare concepts into organizational strategies. Electricity consumption and infectious waste management were identified as the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The study proposes policy recommendations, including the development of hospital-level greenhouse gas reduction master plans, incorporation of environmental indicators into quality management systems, establishment of collaborative networks with public agencies and development partners, and alignment of organizational strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 3, 7, 11, 12, and 13. These measures are expected to strengthen the role of private hospitals as leaders in advancing Thailand’s low-carbon healthcare system.