Our Environmental Approach

Reduce the use of plastic bottles by 50 percent. Recycle 41 metric tons of organic waste. Reduce the use of a climate-impacting anesthetic gas by a factor of 50... At Gustave Roussy, the ecological transition is measured in concrete actions and tangible results. 

Faced with climate and environmental challenges, the Institute is taking steps to transform its practices without ever compromising its primary mission: to offer patients the best possible chance of recovery. This approach brings together healthcare providers, researchers, hospital staff, and partners around a shared goal: to develop a model of cancer care that is more sustainable, more responsible, and firmly focused on the future.

Caring for patients means caring for the environment in which they live. This conviction guides Gustave Roussy’s environmental approach, which is committed to a multidimensional sustainable development policy driven by the Green program. Its ambition is clear: to integrate environmental issues into the heart of hospital, research, and teaching activities. 

This approach is fully aligned with the vision of the 2026–2030 institutional plan, which calls for balancing innovation, responsibility, and the long-term sustainability of resources.

The healthcare system consumes resources, generates waste, and relies on a wide range of equipment. Addressing these impacts is no longer an option but a collective responsibility.

At Gustave Roussy, the environmental transition has become a driver of transformation on par with medical innovation and research. Because patient health and the health of the planet are inextricably linked, the Institute continues to build a hospital model that is more resource-efficient, more responsible, and more sustainable. 

Gustave Roussy’s environmental transformation is based primarily on operational measures implemented on a daily basis.

The Institute is working to reduce waste by expanding waste sorting, recovering biowaste, recycling packaging, and collecting cigarette butts. In the operating room, a “Green Zone” facilitates the recycling of metals and plastics generated by medical procedures.

Water is also a major challenge. Several measures have been implemented to reduce consumption, including the optimization of certain technical equipment and the improvement of resource management practices. For example, shutting down the pumps that maintain the vacuum in the research wings overnight saves up to 10 m³ of water per day. 

On the energy front, Gustave Roussy is working to optimize building energy consumption and is gradually incorporating bio-based and recycled materials into its new construction projects.

These initiatives share a common goal: to reduce environmental impacts without ever compromising the quality and safety of patient care. 

The environmental transition requires a comprehensive rethinking of consumption patterns.

At Gustave Roussy, sustainable food is one of the key pillars of the Green program. Reducing food waste, developing responsible supply chains, complying with the objectives of the Egalim Act, and diversifying the food offering are all part of an approach that combines health, nutrition, and the environment.

The Institute is also taking action regarding its procurement. Its framework for promoting socially and environmentally responsible procurement aims to incorporate more environmental criteria into public procurement, prioritize products with a low environmental impact, and encourage circular economy practices. 

This approach aligns with a fundamental principle of modern oncology: seeking the best balance between performance, relevance, and the prudent use of resources. 

Today, the environmental initiative extends beyond the hospital’s boundaries to become part of the campus’s overall transformation.

New buildings currently under development are progressively incorporating goals related to environmental performance, space optimization, and energy consumption management. This vision supports the construction of the Grand Parc Campus, designed as an ecosystem that combines research, innovation, education, and quality of life. 

Through its 2026–2030 institutional plan, Gustave Roussy reaffirms its commitment to securing its resources for the long term and building a model capable of reconciling scientific excellence, environmental responsibility, and economic sustainability.

The ecological transition is therefore not a separate initiative. It plays a central role in the Institute’s transformation and its ability to meet the challenges of the future. 

Energy is one of the key areas of focus for the Green program. The Institute has launched several major projects aimed at improving the energy efficiency of its infrastructure.

Since October 2024, domestic hot water has been supplied via the district heating network. This investment of 1.2 million euros prevents 222 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent from being emitted each year. At the same time, a facade renovation program has been launched to improve the thermal performance of the buildings. 

Mobility is a key challenge in reducing the Institute’s carbon footprint. 

To accelerate the transition, Gustave Roussy has signed a new collective agreement promoting sustainable mobility: increased reimbursement for public transportation passes, the introduction of a sustainable mobility allowance of up to €300 per year, and the development of on-site bicycle repair workshops. The goal is ambitious: to reduce car use to less than 30% by 2026 and cut emissions associated with commutes by 25%.