The role of hospitals in Türkiye's climate change strategies: Awareness-Focused policy analysis and implementation recommendations

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most significant threats to human health on a global scale, and hospitals are both vulnerable and strategically positioned in the face of this threat. The purpose of this study is to systematically analyze Türkiye's climate change strategy documents, identify hospital-related strategies, evaluate these strategies from a hospital perspective, and offer recommendations for implementation. The study was conducted using document analysis within a qualitative design framework. The Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2030) and the Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2030) were selected as the primary sources of analysis through purposive sampling to represent Türkiye's national climate change strategy. Data analysis was conducted by integrating qualitative content analysis and policy analysis methods. First, documents were scanned using content analysis to identify hospital-related strategies. Each strategy was then evaluated qualitatively using a five-point scale based on relevance, applicability, impact, time, stakeholder and awareness criteria. Applicable policy recommendations were developed for high-priority strategies. Türkiye has 89 climate change strategies covering the period 2024-2030. Of Türkiye's climate change adaptation (n: 20) and mitigation (n: 23) strategies, 43 are related to hospitals. Among these adaptation strategies, water and energy security, disaster management, health data integration, and strengthening staff capacity are emerging as key areas for hospitals. In mitigation strategies, hospitals should play a decisive role in energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, sustainable building design and especially, medical waste management. Hospitals play both adaptive and mitigating roles in the fight against climate change. There are differences in the maturity of climate-health policies between developed countries and Türkiye. Hospitals should be considered not only as healthcare providers but also as strategic actors in the fight against climate change.