Building Climate-Resilient Healthcare Systems by Engaging Adolescents in Sustainability Efforts

Abstract

Abstract Background: Climate change increasingly threatens global health, with adolescents among the most vulnerable. Hospitals are major emitters of greenhouse gases, making carbon reduction in healthcare a pressing challenge. Nurses play central roles in implementing sustainability, while adolescents can contribute to long-term resilience. Methods: A scoping review of peer-reviewed articles (1990–2023) and World Bank datasets was conducted. Comparative analysis focused on Norway and South Korea, with the United States and Australia reviewed narratively. Inclusion criteria targeted studies on hospital-based carbon reduction and youth/nurse engagement; unrelated studies were excluded. Results: Three domains emerged: (1) governance approaches—Norway applied top-down integrated monitoring, while Korea showed fragmented progress, especially in private hospitals; (2) roles of adolescents and nurses—nurses led quality improvement in energy efficiency and waste reduction, while adolescents contributed through school–hospital partnerships and youth initiatives; and (3) barriers and enablers—key barriers included limited youth decision-making and lack of councils, while enablers included certification frameworks and WHO guidelines. Conclusions: Nurses and adolescents are complementary partners in sustainable healthcare. Establishing hospital green teams, integrating climate literacy into curricula, and fostering government–healthcare–education partnerships can reduce emissions and strengthen climate-resilient health systems.