Sustainabilty

Karolinska University Hospital has long been actively engaged in sustainability efforts, focusing on three key areas: social, environmental, and economic sustainability. For us at Karolinska, sustainability is about preventing long-term health issues—our efforts to cure today should not increase the need for relief in the future.

For the years 2023–2027, we have a guiding program with sustainability goals for the hospital to achieve. Every day, our operations work to reduce environmental and climate impact while strengthening social and economic sustainability.

Social sustainability at Karolinska is based on the principle of equal value for all individuals. It encompasses ethics, public health, human rights, gender equality, equity, safety, children's rights, inclusion of individuals with disabilities, national minorities, and LGBTQI+ rights.

Our commitment to social sustainability extends to patients, their families, the general public, and our employees.

As the region’s university hospital and provider of highly specialized care, our work relies on knowledge, people, materials, energy, and transportation. While we use these resources to treat and alleviate illness, conduct research, and educate, our resource consumption also impacts various environmental factors, including climate, biodiversity, and air, soil, and water quality.

Karolinska actively works to reduce its environmental and climate footprint in accordance with our environmental management system and ISO 14001 environmental certification.

Economic sustainability aims to maintain and promote stable, long-term financial development. A key part of our economic sustainability strategy is to integrate sustainability considerations early in Karolinska’s processes, reducing the risk of costly interventions later.

This includes incorporating sustainability into investments and setting clear environmental and social sustainability requirements in procurement processes.

Karolinska University Hospital in Solna 

Karolinska University Hospital is one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable university hospitals. The Solna facility is designed and operated with minimal environmental impact, reflecting Karolinska’s commitment to long-term sustainability. Built to meet the highest standards of environmental performance, the hospital achieved Miljöbyggnad Gold certification in 2014—the top rating in Sweden’s environmental building certification system.

Additionally, the facility has been awarded LEED Gold certification, further underscoring its dedication to energy efficiency and sustainable design.