Laundry, catering and even outsourced accounting services are among the top 10 contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the health system, according to analysis led by the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control.

While asthma inhalers and medical nitrous oxide have been the subject of a push to switch to greener options, they contribute just 1-2% each to emissions, the 128-page report says.

The main culprit is straightforward: the use of fossil fuels for energy.

“Health and aged care facilities require substantial amounts of energy for lighting, heating, electronic equipment and devices, maintenance of essential medical equipment, ensuring comfortable indoor environments, and supporting round-the-clock operations,” the report says.