Table 1
Key national policies, programs, and operational frameworks supporting decarbonization and climate resilience in India’s healthcare sector.
| YEAR | POLICY/PROGRAM | IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITY | CORE FOCUS | RELEVANCE TO HEALTHCARE DECARBONIZATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) | Government of India | National climate mitigation and adaptation strategy across sectors | Provided the policy foundation for integrating health into climate action and enabled subsequent development of climate‑health initiatives |
| 2018 | National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health (NAPCCHH) | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare/National Centre for Disease Control | Strategic framework addressing climate‑sensitive health risks, adaptation, capacity building, and research | Established the national roadmap linking climate change, public health, and sustainable healthcare systems |
| 2019 | National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare/National Centre for Disease Control (under National Health Mission) | Program implementation focusing on heat‑related illness, air pollution surveillance, capacity building, and promotion of green, climate‑resilient healthcare facilities | Operationalized climate‑health policies and explicitly incorporated low‑carbon and climate‑resilient healthcare delivery |
| 2021 | WHO COP26 Health Programme Commitments | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (signatory) | Global commitment to climate‑resilient and low‑carbon health systems | Signaled national intent to align India’s health sector with international low‑carbon healthcare goals |
| 2023 | Guidelines for Green and Climate‑Resilient Healthcare Facilities | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare/National Centre for Disease Control | Energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, waste management, and climate‑resilient facility design | Provided technical guidance for reducing healthcare facility‑level emissions and improving resilience |
| 2023–2024 | NABH Climate Action and Sustainability Initiatives | National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (Quality Council of India) | Incorporation of sustainability metrics into hospital accreditation standards | Incentivized hospitals to adopt energy management, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement practices |
| 2018–present | Solarization of Health Facilities (multiple state and national initiatives) | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; State Health Departments; Renewable Energy Agencies | Deployment of solar photovoltaic systems in health facilities, particularly primary health centers |