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Green Office Challenge Showcase | |
Date: November 29th, 2024
Time: 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET
Join the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, PEACH Health Ontario, the Hamilton FHT Green Initiative and HP as we honour the winners of the 2024 Green Office Challenge! The Green Office Challenge has invited primary care clinicians to answer questions in 11 different areas of sustainability for the chance to recognized as an outstanding leader in sustainability.
This event will host an interesting Plenary by our physician lead Dr. Myles Sergeant, share results of the challenge, introduce the Green Health Centre of Excellence, announce the winners of the challenge and invite them to share presentations on their successes.
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New Guidebook - Climate emergency jumpstart kit: An implementation guide to streamline your climate journey
This comprehensive guide, developed thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Implementation Readiness Fund, provides an overview of key actions that health system leaders can initiate to move towards a climate resilient, carbon-zero, and environmentally sustainable health system.
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New Guidebook - Sustainable, socially responsible health care: A toolkit for radiotherapy professionals
In honour of World Radiography Day on November 8th, we launched a comprehensive guide with funding from the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Implementation Readiness Fund, which provides essential resources and best practices to enhance sustainability in radiotherapy.
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Welcome to our Advisors' Corner, where we explore what inspires our advisors to champion sustainability in health care. They share their insights on the most impactful changes the sector can make, as well as the barriers and opportunities on the path to a greener future.
Our next feature is Doreen Day, a Senior Project Manager at Choosing Wisely Canada, overseeing Pan-Canadian Initiatives. With extensive experience in the health care sector, including at Toronto’s SickKids Hospital, Doreen plays a key role in managing relationships with provincial and territorial affiliates and leading the development and execution of national initiatives for the Choosing Wisely campaign. She holds a master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Toronto and brings a wealth of expertise in program management and health care improvement to her work.
Click the link below to discover how foundational sustainability principles, as shared by Doreen, guide the work at Choosing Wisely Canada. Through their commitment to reducing unnecessary tests and treatments, they improve patient care while addressing health care’s significant climate impact. Doreen's insights include actionable recommendations that empower professionals to foster a more sustainable health system.
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Radon Risk in the Perinatal Period: An Online Learning Module and Assessment Tool
Radon, an invisible and odourless gas naturally released from rocks, soil, and water due to the decomposition of uranium, poses significant health risks. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, primarily when individuals are exposed to high concentrations of radon indoors over a prolonged period. Research has highlighted the need to train health care providers to enhance their knowledge and skills in providing information about radon, specifically within equity-seeking populations who face multiple barriers to accessing radon risk reduction resources.
The Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment (CANE) has partnered with Health Canada to create an online Radon screening tool, which will be the focus of this presentation. We also developed an interactive module for providers to increase their capacity and confidence in using this online tool.
Join us on November 28 as we go over the interactive tool and module and discuss the project's next steps!
Sign up for the French session here.
Sign up for the English session here.
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Nawh whu’nus’en - We see in two worlds: Trauma sensitive practices for collectively healing in relationship Level 1
This course supports health professionals in rural British Columbia to meet new provincial expectations and standards around providing culturally safe care, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC’s new Practice Standard — Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-Racism; recommendations expressed in In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care (2020) and through reports from the Rural Coordination Centre of BC’s Site Visits with Indigenous communities, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action for health.
Until January 6, 2025: registration is open for currently practicing health care professionals who serve rural BC.
January 7 - January 29, 2025: general registration (depending on spots availability).
Course date: January 29th, 2025
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm PT/8:30pm-11:30pm ET
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Why can’t we die at home? Expanding home care could reduce the financial and environmental cost of dying in hospital
Climate Data
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Where would you like to be when you die? Seven out of eight people in Canada would choose to pass away at home where they and their loved ones would be more comfortable. And yet 56 per cent of people in Canada actually die in hospitals. If dying at home could be made more feasible and well resourced, both the dying and the living would benefit.
First and foremost, it would be more peaceful and consistent with what we value. Secondly, whether you’re in an early, middle or late stage of life, staying in hospital is extremely expensive. Finally, we could help reduce health care’s massive environmental impact.
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Building health capacity to safeguard communities from extreme heat
Climate Data
Canada faces increasing challenges from extreme heat events due to climate change, impacting public health and straining health care systems. Vulnerable populations, like the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, are most at risk.
Health Canada’s Extreme Heat Program, initiated in 2008, has implemented Heat Alert and Response Systems (HARS) to enhance preparedness and community resilience. These systems focus on education, emergency responses, and prevention strategies, like reducing urban heat islands. Tools from ClimateData.ca support informed decision-making to design climate-resilient infrastructure and mitigate risks. Collaboration and proactive adaptation are vital for safeguarding communities.
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Charting the Course for Climate-Smart Health Planning in Canada
Climate Data
Climate change intensifies health challenges in Canada, increasing risks like heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and food insecurity. Vulnerable communities, including rural and Indigenous populations, are disproportionately affected.
Health Canada’s HealthADAPT program supports climate resilience by funding adaptation initiatives and offering tools like Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) assessments. Resources from ClimateData.ca help health professionals integrate climate data into planning, enabling informed decision-making.
Sustained collaboration and targeted adaptation are crucial to building climate-smart, resilient health systems.
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Reducing single-use materials in Laurentian emergency departments
CASCADES
Tens of thousands of disposable thermometers, absorbent pads and shoe covers are used every year in the Saint Jérôme Hospital emergency department.
For several months now, CISSS des Laurentides has been working to reduce the waste generated in its emergency departments at source, by eliminating the use of these single-use items and replacing them with multi-use alternatives.
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Planetary health and well-being in nursing education
Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN)
The bilingual open-access peer-reviewed journal, Quality Advancement in Nursing Education - Avancées en formation infirmière, published by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), has release a special edition on planetary health well-being in nursing education.
The guest editors of this edition were Barbara Astle and Lucie Richard.
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Coolfood champions meet – and surpass – GHG plate reduction goals
Health Care Without Harm
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Coolfood Pledge health care signatories are racing toward the finish line – and several hospitals and health systems have already met or even surpassed the goal of 38% per plate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction.
Early adopters to the pledge, a cohort of 15 hospitals, have reduced their GHG emissions per plate by an average of 31.33%. Globally, all health care signatories have achieved an average of 20.5% per plate reduction, and U.S. hospitals are about halfway to the goal with a 15.7% average reduction.
Click the link below to read more about the Coolfood pledge and the health care superstars who have signed on and achieved impressive emission reductions.
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On the move: Active transportation initiatives across Canada
Transportation Association of Canada
Walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation are crucial in tackling climate change, reducing congestion, improving public health, and enhancing road safety and equity. Over the last two decades, Canadian governments have made significant investments in these areas, and this report showcases their efforts.
On the Move: Active Transportation Initiatives Across Canada provides profiles of 23 different active transportation projects from coast to coast that include innovations addressing unique local challenges as well as solutions that have been adapted from elsewhere. All have the goal of improving mobility and safety for active transportation users.
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Applications open for EV charging infrastructure program targeting underserved communities
Electric Autonomy
The Charged for Change program, led by Aviva Canada and Earth Day Canada, funds EV charging infrastructure in underserved Canadian communities. With a $3 million budget, it has supported 37 Level 2 chargers in its first year and expanded nationally in its second, aiding eight municipalities. The initiative improves EV accessibility, particularly in rural areas, while promoting climate-conscious transportation. Applications for the third round are open until February 20, 2025. The program's impact includes boosting local economies and fostering community sustainability.
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A third LEED Gold certification for the MUHC: A first in Quebec’s health care network
McGill University Health Centre
The Glen site of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is proud to receive its third LEED Gold certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), marking a historic achievement in Quebec’s health care network. This prestigious distinction, awarded by the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) to the MUHC and its partner, the McGill Health Infrastructure Group (GHIG), is valid for a period of three years and recognizes the performance and continuous improvement in the operation and maintenance of the building.
In comparison with similarly sized institutions located in comparable geographic areas, the Glen site stands out for its remarkable performance, particularly regarding its low greenhouse gas emissions and air quality.
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2024 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in P3s
ReNew Canada
Transformational health care facilities dominated the 2024 National Awards for Innovation & Excellence in P3s, with winners announced in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Ontario.
The seven award winners also included an all-season highway in the Northwest Territories, a new courthouse in downtown Toronto and a school bundling project now serving 7,000 students in Alberta.
The winners were announced on November 6th, 2024 at the P3 National Awards Gala Luncheon, held on the final day of P3 2024, Canada’s Infrastructure Conference. The 2024 awards are supported by AECOM, EllisDon and McCarthy Tétrault LLP.
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Version 9.1 of the RETScreen® Clean Energy Management Software platform is now available for download from the RETScreen website. This update has arrived with a number of salient new features to enhance the RETScreen experience!
One of the latest features is an automated Net Zero Planning Tool which further enables portfolio-wide decarbonization planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting – all available within one single multilingual platform. Learn more about the new tool HERE.
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Driving a circular economy for plastics: Introducing Canada's new plastics recycling definition standard
CASCADES
Date: November 28th, 2024
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm ET
Standards can have an essential role in transitioning to a circular economy. On the heels of Circular Economy Month, Circular Innovation Council, in collaboration with CSA Group is hosting a webinar to celebrate the upcoming launch of CSA R117, Plastics Recycling: Definitions, Reporting, and Measuring.
Join us to learn about the standard and why it is important for Canada’s transition to a circular economy for plastics. You will hear from a panel of experts about how the standard can be used to support policy making, monitor performance, and how it can be applied.
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Financing the circular economy: Emerging trends and opportunities for Canada
Circular Economy Leadership Canada
Date: December 5th, 2024
Time: 1:00pm-2:15pm ET
The circular economy offers a major opportunity for the financial sector to deliver on climate commitments and other environmental and social objectives while benefiting from sources of new investment and long-term value creation. To date, sustainable finance efforts in Canada have not included much focus on the circular economy; however, a recent initiative led by CELC and UNEP Finance Initiative helps close that gap. Join this free, public webinar co-hosted by CELC and UNEP FI to learn more about the latest trends in circular finance, the current landscape in Canada, and how circular finance can support broader sustainable finance and ESG priorities.
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2024 Hospital Case Studies: St. Mary's General Hospital Alberta Health Services
Greening Health Care
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Date: November 26th, 2024
Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm ET
Further to our September 25th Energy Savings Leaderboard webinar, join us for the story behind the success of two more Greening Health Care award winners! Learn how St Mary’s General Hospital combined comprehensive energy retrofits with operational improvements for deep energy and emissions reductions. And hear about the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital Recommissioning Project, a transformative initiative by Alberta Health Services(AHS).
This project is saving $400,000 and cutting 3,000 tonnes of emissions annually with a two-year payback. Learn about the data-driven approach and teamwork that are driving similar successes across 10 other AHS sites. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore a powerful model for sustainable efficiency in health care!
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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.
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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. | | | | |
