The Carbon Footprint of Health System Employee Commutes - 05/02/23

Doi : 10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100216

Thejus Jayakrishnan ^1,^⁎ , Ilyssa O. Gordon ¹, Sarah O'Keeffe ², Mamta K. Singh ³, Ashwini R. Sehgal ²
¹ Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 10201 Carnegie Ave CA60, Cleveland, OH 44195
² The MetroHealth System, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109
³ Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Director, VA Quality Scholars and Health Professions Education Evaluation Research Fellowship, VA Northeast Ohio Health Care System 10701 East Boulevard; Cleveland, OH 44106

^⁎Corresponding Author: Thejus Jayakrishnan MD, Hematology Oncology Fellow, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 10201 Carnegie Ave CA60, Cleveland, OH 44195Hematology Oncology Fellow, Taussig Cancer InstituteCleveland Clinic10201 Carnegie Ave CA60ClevelandOH44195

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Abstract

Background

Greenhouse gas emissions from employee commutes contribute to the carbon footprint of the healthcare sector. We sought to analyze the patterns of employee commutes and quantify the resulting greenhouse gas emissions for three large health systems in Cleveland, Ohio.

Methods

An employee survey was obtained and reviewed for data regarding home location, mode of commute, distance traveled, and commute time. Emissions for each survey participant were estimated using the United States Environment Protection Agency Emission Factor Inventory. Emissions per survey participant were multiplied by the total number of employees to estimate commute-related emissions for each health system.

Results

A total of 3,192 employees responded to the survey, including 988 from Cleveland Clinic, 271 from VA Medical Center, and 1933 from MetroHealth System. The vast majority of survey participants drove by themselves to work in an automobile. Annual greenhouse gas emissions per participant (in kg CO2-eq) were 1750 (Cleveland Clinic), 3333 (VA Medical Center), and 2834 (MetroHealth System) with variations due to differences in commute distances. Total annual emissions per health system were estimated as: 36,006,250 (Cleveland Clinic), 11,998,800 (VA Medical Center), and 22,672,000 (MetroHealth System).

Conclusions

Employee commutes are a potential area of intervention to decrease the carbon footprint of healthcare institutions. We recommend that health systems periodically survey employees to understand commute patterns and work with employees and policymakers to support and promote lower-emission transportation modes.

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Keywords : Carbon Footprint, Greenhouse gas emissions, Climate Change, Health care, United States, Cleveland

Plan

Introduction

Methods

Survey

GHG Emission Calculations

Statistical Analysis

Results

Discussion

	Prior Presentation: None
	Funding: None
	Funding: None
	Authors Contributions:
	Study concept and design: TJ, AS
	Analysis and interpretation of data: TJ, AS
	Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: TJ, IOG, SK, MS, AS
	Administrative, technical, or material support: AS
	Data Statement: Authors TJ and AS had full access to all the data in the study. We take full responsibility for the integrity of the data. The data supporting this study's findings are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.