How can the EU unlock the potential of sustainable healthcare?

Healthcare might not be the first industry that springs to mind when you consider the causes of the climate crisis. But with material extraction, supply, and the manufacture of equipment accounting for 40 to 50 per cent of global CO2 emissions, waste within the medical industry is playing a significant role in driving greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).

If the world is to meet the targets set out in the Paris Agreement, the healtcare sector needs to transition to a circular economy. This means finding new and sustainable ways to use resources to bring about the decarbonisation of the industry.

Many solutions already exist to close the loop and make healthcare a more circular economy, with multinationals like Philips working hard to offer innovative solutions such as equipment recycling.

The European Union is leading the way too, with several initiatives following on the backs of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP).

But with healthcare funding in Europe already stretched, can the EU transition to a circular economy without compromising on quality and patient safety?

And as we move towards a more digital future, could money and resources be saved by making healthcare more digital?

To discuss all these issues and more, join the Euronews Debate team live on June 29th at 11 am (CEST) as we discuss these questions with our expert panel.

Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea is the Director in charge of the Circular Economy in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment.

Between 2014 and 2022 he worked as the Director in charge of Enforcement, Cohesion and the European Semester in the same DG. Prior to that, he was the Director for Equality in the Directorate-General for Justice, in charge of equality and