The Eye Surgery Hastings, located in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay region, has distinguished itself as a leader in climate-smart ophthalmic care. Named the 2023 Health Care Climate Champion for the Pacific region, this clinic is also an active Race to Zero participant—and was featured in the Climate Champions video series, sharing its journey and innovations.
What sets Eye Surgery Hastings apart is its bold transition to 100% renewable energy, powered through on-site solar and battery storage systems. This shift occurred in response to extreme weather events, which exposed vulnerabilities in the grid. The clinic now operates independently of grid power and contributes surplus electricity to a local peer-to-peer solar network, helping strengthen resilience and community energy security.
Beyond their technical innovations, the institution has cultivated a culture where every staff member plays a role in climate action. Weekly training sessions, a shared scoreboard of environmental indicators, and even their “ambiguous box” for tricky recycling items turn sustainability into a collective practice. Their influence extends well beyond their walls: presenting nationally on low-carbon, high-quality care; collaborating with local councils to reduce landfill waste; partnering with insurers to fund reusable, low-carbon surgical techniques; and guiding other hospitals on implementing practical solutions.
The Eye Surgery Hastings shows how even smaller health providers can spark systemwide change and deliver meaningful climate impact. Their story embodies the spirit of the Health Care Climate Challenge and offers inspiration across the health sector, showing that resilience in a changing climate is not only about surviving shocks, but transforming care delivery into sustainable, reliable, and regenerative systems.