Hospitals are at the center of the health care system. Not only do they provide essential health services, but they play a critical role in supporting the well being of the community. So, as the link between human health and planetary health is inextricably clear, hospitals have a responsibility to take direct action to reduce its environmental impact.
The Canadian health care system contributes to 4.6% of Canada’s GHG emissions, with hospitals and other medical facilities being some of the largest contributors (1). Since Canada’s health care per capita spending per person is in the top quartile internationally, at CA$6,448, the efficient operation and maintenance of hospitals is a key priority for Canada (2). There are several ways health care workers can make an impact, including improvements to facility infrastructure, switching to plant rich menus, procuring sustainable items, re-thinking transportation, reducing polypharmacy, and the implementation of efficient, environmentally-friendly best practices which are critical to reducing the environmental and financial costs of the health
sector.
Projects & Resources
Person-Centered Integrated Kidney Care Narrative Review: A Model for Reduction of Health Care Carbon Emissions
March 6, 2026
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a resource-intensive and complex challenge to sustainable health care. The purpose of this narrative review is to describe how person-centered integrated care can support sustainable health care for this population, the strategies currently in place, and the gaps to consider.
Decarbonization in Action: Implementing Climate Solutions in Canadian Hospitals
July 28, 2025
Project Status: Ongoing Project Overview This project, led by the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care in partnership with MaRS Discovery District, is focused on helping hospitals in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) lower their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all areas of hospital operations, including buildings, clinical practices, and procurement. Health care
Low-Carbon Heat-Health Solutions in Care Settings
March 28, 2025
Project Status: Ongoing Project Overview This project, led by the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, is a multi-year national initiative aimed at improving healthcare system resilience to extreme indoor heat and sharing project results with vulnerable populations. This study focuses on understanding how high indoor temperatures impact residents, patients, and healthcare workers in long-term
Impacts de la chaleur dans les espaces intérieurs sur la santé
March 28, 2025
Aperçu du projet Ce projet, mené par la Coalition canadienne pour un système de santé écologique, est une initiative nationale pluriannuelle visant à améliorer la résilience du système de santé face à la chaleur extrême intérieure et à partager les résultats du projet avec les populations vulnérables. Cette étude vise à comprendre l’impact des températures
Preparing Canada’s Health Care Buildings for Net-Zero
October 24, 2024
Project Status: Ongoing Project Objectives Preparing Canada’s Health Care Buildings for Net-Zero, a project made possible with an investment from the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Implementation Readiness Fund, aims to accelerate the readiness of the Canadian health care workforce and leadership to undertake climate change mitigation initiatives that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
2022 Green Hospital Scorecard Awards
December 22, 2023
The 2022 Green Hospital Scorecard Awards were announced Wednesday December 13th, at virtual award presentations held by the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care. These award were made possible with the support of our partner Health Canada and our award sponsors Trane, Shift Energy, Roche, Ecotex, GE Healthcare and Better Battery. You can now watch a recording of the awards HERE
Green Hospital Scorecard
February 13, 2023
Project Status: Undergoing revision – updates coming soon About the Project The Green Hospital Scorecard (GHS) is a comprehensive health care environmental performance benchmarking tool in Canada measuring energy conservation, water conservation, waste management and recycling, corporate commitment and pollution prevention. Participating hospitals report on their environmental and sustainability initiatives through a questionnaire and receive
Identifying Opportunities for Greenhouse Gas Reductions and Cost Savings in Hospitals
October 4, 2022
This review discusses the development of a knowledge translation tool that aims to compare a range of interventions that can be applied in hospital settings to reduce the local GHG emissions and associated financial costs. Read Article Here
LTC Project Media Release
September 24, 2021
<< Return to Project Homepage Green Scorecard program expands to long-term care and retirement homes Ontario, November 29, 2021 -The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care (the Coalition) is launching a new environmental performance scorecard for the long-term care (LTC) and retirement home (RH) sectors. Building on the Coalition’s successful Green Hospital Scorecard, the