Starting in September 2023, a small working group within the Duke University Health System (DUHS) undertook a comprehensive effort to establish an environmental baseline, comparing greenhouse gas emissions in FY10 to FY23. Completed in June 2024, the project, prepared for DUHS executive leadership, reflects a 29% reduction in CO₂ emissions per gross square foot.
The project focused on select Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions across Duke-owned inpatient and ambulatory sites across DUHS campuses, including Duke Laundry. Major emissions sources in FY23 included purchased electricity (45.4% of total emissions), natural gas usage (33.0%), and employee commuting (15.6%).
Challenges included integrating complex data across Duke University and DUHS facilities and improving emissions tracking. Future priorities encompass forming an affinity group, establishing strategic goals (such as enhancing waste management and energy efficiency), tracking emissions annually, and collaborating with other academic medical centers to set industry-wide sustainability standards.