CARBON NEUTRAL
n Integration of energy recovery systems: Installing systems that recover and reuse energy from various processes to improve overall energy efficiency.
n Low carbon mobility: Promoting the use of electric vehicles and developing infrastructure to support their adoption in healthcare facilities.
n Application of biophilic design elements: Incorporating elements such as plants, green spaces, natural lighting, and green roofs into building designs to enhance indoor air quality and occupants’ wellbeing.
n Green building awareness, design, and application: Increasing awareness of green building practices and implementing sustainable design principles in healthcare facility construction and renovation projects.
n Sustainable facility management practices: Implementing sustainable practices in facility operations and maintenance to optimise resource use and minimise environmental impact.
n Shift to renewable energy sources: Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions.
n Green rainwater management: Implementing rainwater management practices to conserve water resources and reduce runoff pollution.
n Safeguarding biodiverse natural environment: Protecting and preserving natural ecosystems surrounding healthcare facilities to promote biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
Challenges in going carbon neutral In developing and gearing towards decarbonisation of Malaysia’s healthcare infrastructures, the challenge of establishing mechanisms to closely monitor and calculate public healthcare building emissions is critical. The MoH
is currently developing a guideline for greenhouse gas (GHG) management specifically for Malaysian healthcare facilities, covering Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. This effort involves identifying emission sources within MoH facilities, calculating emissions, and managing a comprehensive GHG inventory. The guideline is set to be completed by the third quarter of this year. Setting targets and tracking GHG emissions towards specific goals is crucial, as it complements ongoing emission abatement efforts and ultimately moves towards carbon neutrality. The importance of designing sustainable healthcare facilities cannot be overstated, particularly in minimising human impact on surrounding ecosystems. A resilient site, characterised by its ability to sustain natural ecological functions and serve as a carbon sink, is essential. Recognising the intrinsic value of biodiverse natural environments as health-promoting resources, it becomes imperative to preserve and protect them. This entails safeguarding green areas within hospital sites from development and construction activities, ensuring the undisturbed continuity of surrounding habitats and ecosystems. The MoH has been a proactive advocate of green building initiatives, successfully certifying multiple hospitals to both local and international green building standards. Certifying a large number of healthcare facilities to green building standards across the country presents several challenges. First and foremost, it requires significant financial resources for the necessary upgrades and retrofits to meet stringent environmental criteria. Additionally, the process demands a strong commitment from all stakeholders, including facility managers, healthcare professionals, and government bodies, to prioritise sustainability amidst competing operational
Dr Khairul Azmy Kamaluddin
Dr Khairul Azmy Kamaluddin P.Eng. graduated with a
B.Sc. in Electrical (Power) Engineering,
M.Sc. in Building Services Engineering and Ph.D. in Energy Efficiency for Healthcare Buildings. He is current president of Biomedical Engineering Association of Malaysia (BEAM), a member of the Institute of Engineering Malaysia (IEM) (a representative council member to IFHE), a certified asapm Project Practitioner, a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM), and a Certified CIDB MyCrest Fasilitator and assessor.
Existing MoH initiatives towards carbon neutral healthcare facilities (MoH, 2023).
November 2025 Health Estate Journal 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
