Emergency departments across Ireland are being recognised for environmental leadership as part of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine's GreenED accreditation programme.
Emergency departments across Ireland are being recognised for environmental leadership as part of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine's GreenED accreditation programme. Teams at Mayo University Hospital (MUH) and University Hospital Galway (UHG) have been awarded Bronze Accreditation for their commitment to reducing waste, cutting emissions and embedding sustainability into fast-paced clinical environments.
These milestones reflect practical changes — such as improved recycling systems, staff training in sustainable practice, transitions to recycled materials, and targeted waste-reduction strategies — that both support patient care and reduce environmental impact.
Sustainability Initiatives Implemented
Health leaders and clinicians hailed the recognitions as "powerful demonstrations" of how frontline teams can lead change even amid high operational demands. The achievement is particularly significant given the challenging environment of emergency departments, where the priority must always remain on delivering excellent patient care.
This achievement not only celebrates Irish emergency care teams but positions them as early adopters of greener healthcare practices within the UK-Ireland context, with plans underway for continued progress toward Silver and Gold accolade levels in the coming years.
Initial sustainability measures implemented - Currently achieved by MUH and UHG
Advanced sustainability practices and measurable impact - Future goal
Exemplary leadership in environmental sustainability - Long-term target