SUSTAINABILITY
Worldwide there is minimal access to clean and renewable energy”4
for a Catholic order to act ecologically and to end the emission of CO2
are an obligation into the
atmosphere as quickly as possible. From the Pope’s point of view, we are all called upon not to leave environmental protection to chance and to take responsibility for creation. As a religious community active in 52 countries around the world, the Brothers of Saint John of God have taken up this guiding principle.
Energy and CO2 CO2
goals in Austria5 emissions are produced directly or
indirectly in daily operations. Directly through heating systems, combustion engines of cars or trucks in the company’s own fleet, the use of emergency power generators or steam generators powered by natural gas for air humidification, and indirectly via the production of electricity, community heating, and community cooling. The main goals formulated were CO2
neutrality of all Austrian facilities and energy supply from sustainable and fossil- free energy sources. These two goals were in turn divided into sub-goals: l Use of renewable energy sources as a basic requirement.
l Heat supply from renewable energy sources or industrial waste heat.
l Producing green electricity from photovoltaic systems, with existing roof surfaces utilised to the maximum.
In order to achieve these ambitious goals, it is necessary to do more than just change energy suppliers to switch from nuclear power to electricity from hydropower plants. Numerous additional and accompanying activities are needed; a ‘special toolbox’ is required: l Constructional assessment of all buildings and construction of new buildings only in accordance with ecological, sustainable guidelines.
l Introduction of a company-wide energy system with standardised key figures.
The Provincial of the Austrian Province, Frater Saji Mullankuzhy, and Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler.
l Establishment of a management system for the acquisition of state or local subsidies.
l Cooling of buildings by means of community cooling via community heating networks, wherever possible.
l Promotion of sustainable procurement. l Promotion of e-mobility, including the construction of charging infrastructures.
l Maximum expansion of photovoltaic systems (electricity) and solar thermal energy (heat).
l Use of new technologies (hydrogen, electricity storage, etc.).
l Switch to climate-friendly anaesthetic gases and recycling.
How to achieve these goals step by step In order to achieve the reduction of CO2 emissions, it was necessary, both in the individual facilities and at the highest management level, to achieve a voluntary commitment to environmental protection. At the same time, a resolution was passed to certify all Austrian facilities according to the EU’s environmental management system EMAS.
In the Austrian Province of the
Order with locations in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia, the Brothers operate twelve hospitals with almost 9,000 employees at nearly 40 locations, as well as numerous other social and health care facilities including care homes, residential groups for people with disabilities, a drug addiction treatment centre, a dialysis facility with 72 places, several hospices, and spa and wellness facilities. In 2021, despite the Corona pandemic, 114,095 inpatient admissions, 745,244 outpatient contacts, and 49,656 operations were performed at Austrian centres. Following the example of the
founder of the order, St. John of God (1495-1550), the Hospitaller Brothers of Saint John of God care for people regardless of origin, religion, gender, or social status, and want to be available to all those seeking help according to their possibilities. Their facilities are accordingly available to all people as private non-profit institutions. Another characteristic of the Order is the attempt to address pressing problems in the health and social sectors with innovative and sustainable solutions and to implement them with professionalism and Christian charity.
Leonore Gewessler presents EMAS III certificates to the Order’s managing directors. 44 IFHE DIGEST 2023
The Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God
The Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God is a Catholic order that maintains about 400 health and social service facilities in 52 countries worldwide.
©APA/Juhasz
©APA/Juhasz
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