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Media Release - The Coalition Receives Canada’s 2027 Clean50 Top Project Award for the Decarbonization in Action Project
We’re proud to share that the Decarbonization in Action project has received a Canada’s Clean50 Top Project Award for 2027.
The Decarbonization in Action project helps hospital sustainability champions move practical climate solutions from idea to implementation. The project influenced more than 1,550 tonnes of avoided and reduced emissions by creating practical resources, amplifying innovative solutions, and facilitating peer learning. This project was funded by the Peter Gilgan Foundation and delivered in partnership with MaRS Discovery District in the pilot year.
This award recognizes not only the work of our project team, but also the dedication of our hospital partners and wider network of supporters. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made this possible!
We also thank the team at Delta Management for organising and presenting Canada’s Clean50 awards to recognize and inspire climate action. Learn more about the Clean50 Award: https://www.clean50.com.
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Media Release - New International Alliance Launches at COP17 to Integrate Nature into Health Care
On October 22nd, the International Nature Prescribing Alliance (INPA) officially launched at COP17 Armenia, marking a watershed moment for nature and health care globally. As the world gathers to advance action on nature and biodiversity protection, this new Alliance is putting nature at the heart of health care.
Created to meet demand from health professionals and organisations around the world for a convenor and accelerator of the nature prescribing movement, INPA is a physician-led organisation with world-leading expertise in health, nature and biodiversity, social prescribing and sustainable health care. Through network building, curated resources and expert-led events, we're advancing community and planetary health — one prescription at a time.
"The INPA is helping lead this shift towards healthier, more nature-connected communities, and the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care is proud to support its launch as a key step towards a more sustainable, prevention-focused health system.” Said Dr. Myles Sergeant, Executive Director of CCGHC.
| | Upcoming Webinar - Insights from an Environmental Scan and Implementation of Heat Mitigation Solutions | | |
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: 11AM PT / 2PM ET
As part of the Low-Carbon Heat-Health Solutions in Care Settings (Heat Health) initiative, this webinar will bring together insights from the project’s national implementation of low-cost, low-carbon heat mitigation solutions and an environmental scan of practical interventions for preserving health during extreme indoor heat.
Speakers will explore:
- Lessons learned from implementing heat mitigation solutions this past summer
- Environmental scan findings on existing strategies and emerging innovations for addressing indoor heat
- Project updates & upcoming initiatives across care settings in British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia
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Job Opportunity - Communications and Events Coordinator
The Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health and Sustainable Care at the University of Toronto is looking for a Communications & Events Coordinator to join the team!
Location: Toronto, ON (in-person)
Position: Full-time, 6-month contract
Start Date: As soon as possible
Interested? Send your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the role to climate.health@utoronto.ca.
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Call for Abstracts - 2027 CHES Ontario Conference
The Ontario Chapter of CHES is holding their 2027 Conference in Ottawa on June 6-8, 2027 at the Cohere Centre. If you are interested in speaking and sharing your expertise with CHES members, please complete the Call for Abstracts form linked below. Submissions deadline is November 20, 2026. Preference will be given for new or current content related to the theme "Leading through Change."
Booths are also going fast and they have only 19 booths remaining. If you wish to exhibit or sponsor at CHES ON 2027, please visit the Exhibitor Information page.
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New Tools - Inhalers and the Environment
Canadian Pharmacists Association
The Canadian Pharmacists Association and the Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment have developed new tools to help pharmacists assess inhaler technique and suitability, support patient conversations and explore options with a lower carbon footprint where clinically appropriate.
These tools include an assessment form, patient handout, pharmacy poster and more.
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Pill Splitting for Sustainability: Reducing the Cost and Environmental Impact of Medications
Canadian Pharmacists Journalchat
This article explores how pill splitting can improve the sustainability of pharmacy practice by reducing medication packaging waste. It compares the environmental implications of split tablets with standard stock bottles, highlighting opportunities to reduce plastic use and emissions. The authors discuss considerations for safe, appropriate pill splitting in clinical practice.
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When Health Care Harms the Climate: The Case for a Climate Standard of Care
National Academy of Medicine
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The article from the National Academy of Medicine proposes a Climate Standard of Care, recognizing health care’s contribution to climate change as a preventable source of harm.
It advocates integrating emissions reduction into clinical guidelines, quality measures, reimbursement, accreditation, and procurement. By prioritizing low-carbon alternatives when clinically equivalent and reducing unnecessary care, health care can protect both patient and planetary health.
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Not Just Green: Well-Being and Collaboration Power These Facilities
GreenCare
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Bringing in a variety of perspectives and expertise is critical to the way SJ Yoo approaches a project. As Project Manager of Capital Projects at Vancouver Coastal Health, that’s the approach he brought to a new heat pump technology model at Vancouver General Hospital.
The project will reduce greenhouse gases and bring reliability to the facility and reduce costs. When you centre people in the conversation, SJ finds that innovative solutions proven reliable elsewhere can find a home in the health-care system.
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Implementing Social Prescribing in Partnership with Large Health Care Institutions
Date: October 29, 2026
Time: 12:00pm - 1:15pm ET
Location: Virtual
This event is presented by the Alliance for Healthier Communities as part of their "Social Prescribing Clinical Champions" Webinar Series.
Join Dr. Tara M Mastracci, (St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK) as she presents on implementation successes with social prescribing in a large hospital. Dr. Mastracci will be joined by Dr. Grace Park who will share implementation experiences from Fraser Health Authority and Dr. Gary Bloch, who will discuss the experience at St. Michael’s Hospital Academic Family Health Team.
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Microplastics in Me: Finding Plastics in Human Blood
Date: October 27, 2026
Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm ET
Location: Virtual
Scientists are increasingly finding microplastics in human bodies, and the implications for our health are concerning. Now, for the first time, a group of well-known individuals in Canada and the U.S. are going public with the results of testing for microplastics in their blood.
Join the virtual launch event of this special new report, Microplastics in Me, a collaboration between Plastic Pollution Coalition, Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics documentary team, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), and scientists from the University of New Mexico and the University of Hawaii.
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11th Annual Forum on Healthcare Infrastructure, Eastern Canada
Date: November 12-13, 2026
Location: In Person, at One King West Hotel & Residence, Toronto, ON
At Canadian Institute’s 11th Annual Forum on Healthcare Infrastructure, Eastern Canada, health care project owners, government officials, and industry leaders will explore the evolving health care infrastructure landscape, share lessons learned from projects currently underway, and discuss what's next for the sector.
Plus! Join the LinkedIn group, Canadian Public Infrastructure: Planning, Construction, and Design Professionals, to be in the loop with event updates.
Join us! Coalition supporters save 10% with code: D10-999-CCGHC27
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Climate, Health and Capital: How Can Foundations Align Their Investments With Their Mission?
Date: Novembre 23, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 10:00am ET
Location: Montréal, QC
Register for the Investment Forum: Climate and Health, a French-language breakfast event that kicks off Canadian Climate Week. As climate risks increasingly affect public health, health sector foundations have an opportunity to rethink how they invest and how they govern.
Speakers:
- Jérôme Ribesse, Executive Director, Synergie Santé Environnement (opening remarks)
- Annie Thériault, Managing Partner, Cross-Border Impact Ventures
- Gary Béliveau, Director of Finance, Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine
- Kevin Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, SHARE
- Rosalie Vendette, Director, Quinn+Partners (moderator)
| | The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care (CCGHC) 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. Your support makes it possible for us to help build a sustainable, resilient and equitable heath system for all. All donations to the CCGHC are eligible for a tax receipt. | | | 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. | | | | |
