Translating evidence to policy for carbon neutral health systems: Use case Belgium

The health sector accounts for a meaningful fraction of national greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously confronting the widening health impacts of climate change. Accelerating the transition toward carbon-neutral health systems is thus a strategic priority across public health and climate policy. This project examines how evidence can be translated into policy and practice by identifying facilitators for successful deployment and scaling of climate policies in healthcare settings. The study will assess governance mechanisms, financing pathways, regulatory enablers, technology adoption, and organizational culture as critical determinants of implementation.

The research team has strong expertise in qualitative methods (semi-structured interviewing, comparative case studies, and theory-driven coding) and privileged access to networks of hospitals and primary care actors. The team is embedded in the federal cooperation platform NEHAP (National Environmental Health Action Plan), which convenes federal and regional authorities, scientific experts, and civil stakeholders to align environmental and health priorities.

By generating implementation-oriented insights and comparable case evidence, the project will strengthen the emerging European knowledge base on decarbonizing healthcare, complementing ongoing EU initiatives on sustainable hospitals and resilience. Outputs will provide actionable guidance for policymakers, healthcare executives, and professional bodies seeking to deploy climate-smart interventions that preserve quality of care, enhance operational resilience, and contribute to national and European climate goals.