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Survey - Barriers to Implementation
Why do sustainability initiatives stall in hospitals...even when people want them?
Let's try to find an answer together!
If you are employed/studying in any role within a Canadian hospital, we want to hear from you! The Circular Clinical Care: Single-Use Plastics Reduction team is running a short and anonymous survey to better understand the barriers to implementing environmental sustainability projects within Canadian hospitals
The sooner they receive responses, the sooner we can share the results!
We thank you for your participation and we encourage you to also share the survey link with your colleagues.
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Webinar - Sustainable Respiratory Care and Inhaler Optimization
Date: June 12, 2026
Time: 12:00PM-1:00PM ET
Continuing our Cut the Carbon: Beyond the OR series, this presentation highlights the disproportionate carbon footprint of Metered Dose Inhalers and provides evidence-based guidance on transitioning to low-carbon alternatives.
Learn how to improve patient outcomes for asthma and COPD through accurate diagnosis, guideline-driven therapy, and sustainable medical practices.
This webinar is being delivered as part of CCGHC’s Preparing Health Care Buildings for Net-Zero project, made possible with an investment from the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Implementation Readiness Fund.
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Looking for a meaningful summer role?
The Coalition is excited to offer five summer job openings, funded through the Government of Canada’s Canada Summer Jobs program. We invite students aged 15–30 to explore and apply for any of the positions available.
Have questions? We’d love to hear from you at coalition@greenhealthcare.ca.
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2026 IFHE International Opportunities
2026 IFHE Building Award
Hosted by AMFP, nominations are now open for this globally recognized award. Click here to download the flier outlining the award’s focus and criteria for submission. Submissions to be received by July 1st, 2026. Learn more.
IFHE “Cut the Carbs” program
The 2026 IFHE Congress in New Orleans, will recognize health care facilities that reduce their carbon impact. With global attention on health care design and facility management you can be awarded "best in country", "best in world" and "most improved" for your efforts to lower GHG emissions. Data can now be entered for your facility for the 2026 IFHE Carbon Challenge HERE.
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Call for Abstracts - Quality Forum 2027
Health Quality BC’s Quality Forum 2027 is now accepting abstract submissions for the 15th annual forum, taking place in Vancouver from March 9–11, 2027.
Organizers are inviting submissions highlighting quality improvement initiatives across the health care system, from improving patient and community care to redesigning systems, processes, and workplace experiences. Projects at any stage of development are welcome, including early ideas and fully implemented initiatives.
The deadline for submissions is June 19, 2026.
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Climate Solutions for a Sustainable Health Care System
SWCC
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Imagine you have a loved one being cared for at your local hospital.
When you arrive to visit them, you notice several things: Trees and green spaces around the hospital building provide shade and support biodiversity. The parking lot has electric vehicle chargers and bike stations. Inside the hospital, water refill stations are readily available. Items that can safely be reused, such as linens and gowns, are being chosen over disposables.
These are a few examples of what a “green health care facility” could look like in practice.
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Inside BCHS: Indigenous Inspired Patient Meals Developed Through Community Collaboration
The Expositor
Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) believes that inclusive patient care extends beyond clinical treatment to recognize the important role that food plays into wellness, healing, and connection. As part of this vision, in late 2025, BCHS engaged with area Indigenous chefs to identify ways to create patient meals inspired by local Indigenous communities.
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The Hidden Footprint of Hospital Meals
Centre for Planetary Health & Sustainable Care
Food systems worldwide account for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions. When hospitals serve meals at the scale they do, even simple menu choices can add up to a significant environmental impacts.
At a time when climate change is putting pressure on health care systems, understanding this hidden impact matters.
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Plug'n Drive's EV's are for EVeryone Cross-Canada Tour is in Full Swing!
Plug'n Drive
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This summer, Plug’n Drive is continuing to bring electric vehicle education directly to communities across Canada through our EV Roadshows and Mobile EV Education Trailers (MEETs).
Their MEETs are currently on the ground in Guelph, ON, and Surrey, BC, helping Canadians explore EV technology, charging, incentives, and the benefits of driving electric through free, hands-on experiences.
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Leading the Charge: A Shared Policy for Low-Carbon, Resilient Health Facilities
GreenCare
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A revised and renamed policy, Facilities Management: Low Carbon Resilience & Environmental Sustainability, has been aligned across Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, Providence Health Care, and Provincial Health Services Authority, providing a shared framework for planning, designing, constructing, and operating health facilities.
The policy integrates environmental sustainability and climate resilience, helping health facilities prepare for challenges such as extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and supply chain disruptions. It links sustainability with Reconciliation, Health Equity, and Planetary Health, recognizing the connections between healthy people, communities, and ecosystems. The result is a practical example for other health organisations seeking to translate broad sustainability goals into clear action and accountability.
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BMO Donates $2M to CHEO for Climate-Friendly Initiatives on Earth Day
CTV News
Ottawa’s children’s hospital has received a $2 million gift from one of Canada’s biggest banks.
CHEO, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, says BMO made the donation on Wednesday to mark Earth Day. The money is intended to “support sustainability initiatives, including the Phase 1 Redevelopment and the future of low‑carbon pediatric care,” the hospital said in a news release.
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Victoria Nurses Lead Greener Approach to Kidney Care at Royal Jubilee
Interior News
A nurse-led initiative at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) is helping make kidney care more environmentally sustainable by reducing waste, improving recycling and changing medication disposal practices. The Going Green in the RJH Hemodialysis Unit initiative, led by registered nurse Gertie Michaelis-Martin, is being recognized during Nursing Week for its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of kidney care at the Victoria hospital.
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Dialyzing Wisely: Improving the Performance and Delivery of Acute Dialysis in Alberta
Date: June 10, 2026
Time: 12:00PM-1:00PM ET
Acute renal replacement therapy (RRT) can be life-saving for critically ill patients, yet evidence shows that initiating therapy too early can cause harm and consume resources without improving outcomes.
Join Choosing Wisely Talks to learn about improvements in RRT performance metrics, key challenges, and lessons learned about the value of early access to individualized data to drive engagement and practice reflection.
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Becoming a Choosing Wisely Canada Hospital
Date: June 17, 2026
Time: 12:00PM-1:00PM ET
Join this webinar to learn more about the steps to becoming a Choosing Wisely Canada Hospital and hear insights from hospitals that have successfully achieved designation.
Attendees will also get an overview of the latest improvements to the Choosing Wisely Canada’s Hospital Designation Program.
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ProSocial AI Webinar
Date: June 17, 2026
Time: 7:00AM
AI can support planetary health through improved environmental monitoring, climate adaptation, and data-driven decision-making.
However, the rapid expansion of AI technologies also raises concerns regarding energy consumption, emissions, and digital resource use. This talk reflects on the opportunities and limitations of AI for sustainability and discusses pathways toward more responsible and environmentally conscious AI development.
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SE-QI Toolkit and Spotlight National Launch
Date: June 26, 2026
Time: 1:00PM - 2:00PM ET
The Sustainability-Embedded Quality Improvement (SE-QI) Toolkit is a practical resource that brings environmental sustainability into the core of quality.
In this session, participants will be introduced to the updated Toolkit and Spotlight, hear early adoption experiences from across the country, and explore how to embed sustainability into their own improvement initiatives in a practical and meaningful way.
| | CHES 2026 National Conference | | |
Date: September 20-22, 2026
Location: St. John’s Convention Centre, St. John’s, NL
The CHES 2026 National Conference brings together health care engineers, facility managers, and industry experts for two days of learning, networking, and innovation.
Why Attend?
Expert Insights: Hear from leading voices in health care engineering and technology. This year they are adding a third concurrent session on both days!
Hands-On Learning: Participate in workshops and technical sessions designed to solve real-world challenges.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, vendors, and thought leaders shaping the industry. Fantastic and fun events!
Two great keynotes: Great beginning and ending! Brad Gushue and Ross Bernstein.
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Have you registered as an organ donor?
Contact your local organ donation agency and speak to your family about your wishes. You have the power to save and transform lives. Learn more and register to donate HERE.
| | The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care is Canada’s premier green health care resource network, leading the evolution of green in Canada’s health sector as a national voice and catalyst for environmental change. www.greenhealthcare.ca | |
Some articles referred to in the Digest make reference to services and/or product offerings from specific suppliers. The CCGHC recommends that readers research the service and product offerings available through a wider range of suppliers for comparison purposes and in keeping with public sector purchasing guidelines. These articles should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any product or service. | | | | |
