Introduction: Emergency departments (EDs) play a critical role in healthcare delivery and are contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. As frontline providers of acute care, EDs are uniquely positioned to address the health impact of climate change while also mitigating their environmental impact. Previous research has documented the healthcare sector’s overall response to climate change, but specific strategies employed by EDs remain underexplored. This review seeks to fill that gap by collating and analyzing existing data on ED practices aimed at sustainability to combat climate change and reduce their carbon footprint. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using relevant terms related to emergency departments, climate change, climate resiliency, and mitigation. Papers written in English were included. From PubMed and Embase, 217 studies were found using the key terms. Seven papers made the final data extraction phase. Covidence software was used. A PRISMA model will be included in the final presentation. Results: Key findings indicate that EDs have started implementing energy-efficient technologies, waste reduction programs, and sustainable transportation initiatives. Some facilities have initiated training programs to educate staff on climate impacts and emergency preparedness in the face of climate-related events. However, the review also identified significant variability in the extent of these initiatives, with many EDs lacking formalized climate action plans. Additionally, there were no nationally unified plans identified for EDs to follow. Conclusion: The scoping review highlights a growing recognition among EDs of their role in addressing climate change, with promising advancements in sustainability practices. However, the inconsistency in implementation and lack of standardized metrics suggest that more cohesive strategies are needed. To effectively combat climate change, EDs should prioritize developing formal action plans, sharing best practices, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that enhance both resilience and sustainability in emergency care.
Moujaes et al. (Sun,) studied this question.