Organisational attributes and energy consumption in Malaysian public hospitals: mediating role of sustainable energy management

Governments worldwide have recognised the urgent need to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development, placing increasing emphasis on energy reduction policies. The building sector, responsible for approximately one-third of total final energy consumption and 15 per cent of direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from end-use sectors, plays a crucial role in this global effort. Due to rising energy prices, decision-makers must consider the long-term energy consumption of hospitals. In 2016, the Ministry of Health (MOH) initiated a Sustainability Program (SP) at all Malaysian public hospitals, aiming to achieve a 3-star EMGS certification and a 10% reduction in energy consumption within five years. This research aims to investigate the impact of sustainable energy management (SEM) on energy consumption performance in Malaysian public hospitals, examine the influence of organisational attributes on energy consumption, and analyse the mediating effect of SEM programs on organisational attributes and energy consumption performance. An extraction Tool Language (ETL) has been used to analyse the energy consumption performance at 118 hospitals. The results show that the hospitals achieved an average of 23% savings in 2019. The study surveyed 203 staff members from Malaysian public hospitals and concessionaires to examine the influence of organisational attributes on energy consumption in Malaysian public hospitals. It also looks at the mediating role of SEM between these organisational attributes and energy consumption across 13 hospitals from four hospital categories located in Eastern, Northern, Central, and Southern Peninsular Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. Using PLS-SEM, the study observed that organisational attributes, such as social behaviours, staff competency, staff communication, and staff recognition, as well as Sustainable Energy Management (SEM), influence energy consumption. However, the study also shows that SEM only mediates the relationship between organisational recognition and energy consumption. Investing in technology was one solution to reducing energy consumption in buildings, hospitals, and commercial spaces. Nevertheless, organisations should also consider non-technological solutions, such as implementing an SEM program to achieve sustainable energy performance and promote improved organisational attributes, including staff behaviours, competencies, communication, and leadership commitment. To enhance the SP program, the MOH plans to obtain Green Building certification for all Malaysian public hospitals by 2025, where energy, water, and waste generation will be measured in terms of CO2 reduction. This new initiative could also represent an area for further research.