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Celebrating 10 Years of Leadership
As the Health Care Climate Challenge marks a decade of action, they are celebrating the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care as a global leader in climate-smart health care.
Since 2016, the Coalition has earned the Gold Award in Climate Leadership every year, and in 2024 it was named Health Care Climate Champion for the U.S. and Canada.
For over 25 years, we have advanced environmental stewardship in Canadian health care through energy efficiency programs, professional training, and knowledge-sharing that drive system-wide change.
Check out the Coalition's feature using the link below.
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Visit us at CHES National!
Dates: September 14th - 16th, 2025
Location: BMO Centre, Stampede Park Calgary, Alberta
This CHES national conference attracts leaders from across Canada and around the world in the field of health care facilities design, engineering, operations and maintenance. This years topic is Transforming Healthcare Together: Empowering Teams, Inspiring Creativity, Unleashing Knowledge.
Visit the Coalition at Booth #5 - just inside the main Exhibition Hall doors on the right.
AND see Alex Hutton and her co-presenters on day two (September 15) for their presentation - Time for an Air Change; Advancing Demand-Controlled Displacement Ventilation. They will be presenting at 2:15pm MT in the Palomino Ballroom.
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New Series - Cut the Carbon: Beyond the OR
Date: September 26, 2025
Time: 9am PT/12pm ET
Join the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care and Ontario Health for the next Cut the Carbon: Beyond the OR session where we will welcome Dr. Myles Sergeant and Elizavetan Zvereva to introduce the low carbon fruit tree for primary care - a narrative review highlighting 19 actionable initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and financial costs.
While the review is tailored to primary care settings, many of the strategies are broadly applicable across various clinical environments.
What are the most important environmental initiatives you can do at your clinic?
It's NOT what you think!
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Webinar - Displacement Ventilation: Rethinking Indoor Air for Health and Climate
Date: September 25, 2025
Time: 9am PT/12pm ET
Learn how displacement ventilation (DV) offers a healthier, low-carbon alternative to conventional mixing systems.
After explaining the basics of this underutilized ventilation strategy, our panel of presenters from the Displace Ventilation Emergence in Health Care (DiVE) research and engagement project will share about the benefits, barriers, opportunities and future pathways toward making DV the new default in hospital ventilation.
This webinar is part of the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care's Preparing Canada’s Health Care Buildings for Net-Zero project, made possible with investment from the Government of Canada's Low Carbon Economy Implementation Readiness Fund.
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Join the Healthy Capital Community of Practice
Hospital foundations across Canada are advancing sustainable investment practices –but progress is easier with peers!
You’re invited to join the Healthy Capital Community of Practice, a collaborative series, funded by the Trottier Family Foundation, designed to support hospital foundation leaders to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into their investment practices to better manage risks and capture value creation.
- Participate in four 90-minute virtual meetings between Fall 2025 and Winter 2026.
- Share practical approaches and lessons learned with peers.
- Co-create practical tools, including policy templates, due diligence frameworks, and case studies (English and French).
- Align investments with health missions while advancing sector-wide practices.
How to join: Express interest by September 20, or contact ari@greenhealthcare.ca for details.
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Upcoming event - Sustainable by Design: Health Care Innovations for a Warming World
Date: October 3, 2025
Time: 8am-5pm ET
Location: Women’s College Hospital Auditorium, Toronto
This full day event will showcase innovations in sustainable health care, highlighting how climate-smart solutions are transforming care delivery in Toronto and beyond. Bringing together health leaders, innovators, and change-makers to share practical solutions for creating greener, more efficient health systems. From low-carbon infrastructure and energy-smart hospitals to emerging innovations in clinical care, attendees will gain insights into how the sector is responding to the climate crisis while improving patient outcomes.
We will also be holding a networking social following our day long event to provide an opportunity for attendees to connect and reflect on the presentations and workshops.
Check out the event program, speakers and register today!
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Help Us Build a Greener Health System
The Coalition is now a registered charity—marking a major milestone in its 25-year mission to advance sustainability in health care. Donate today to help build a greener, healthier, and more climate-resilient Canada.
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Funding Opportunity: ISO 50001 Projects
Natural Resources Canada is offering financial assistance for ISO 50001 energy management projects in commercial and institutional buildings (2026–2029).
This funding helps organisations improve energy efficiency, cut costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Eligible expenses include staff time, technical services, data analysis, and equipment for metering and controls.
Submit proposals by October 31, 2025.
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National Day of Action on Planetary Health
The triple planetary crisis including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution is threatening both community health and the resilience of Canada’s health care system. But health professionals have a unique opportunity to lead the way. On October 6, 2025, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and partners will launch the first-ever National Day of Action on Planetary Health. This nationwide initiative will mobilize health professionals to speak out, take action, and champion solutions for a healthier planet and healthier people.
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Climate Change and Mental Health: A Critical Intersection
BCMJ
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Climate change is increasingly recognized as an “unappreciated mental health emergency.” From wildfires and heat waves to displacement and biodiversity loss, climate impacts disrupt lives and intensify risks of depression, anxiety, aggression, and even suicide. By 2030, climate-related threats to mental health are projected to cost US$47 billion annually worldwide.
Certain groups including Indigenous peoples, outdoor workers, youth, refugees, immigrants, and those with lower socioeconomic status, are especially vulnerable. This article calls for education, training, and systems-level climate action to address this growing public health crisis.
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Health care must lead on plastic reduction
Health Care Without Harm
Health care generates an estimated 15 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, creating significant environmental and public health risks. Physicians emphasize that hospitals should not be exempt from global plastic reduction efforts. Around the world, hospitals are proving that reusable, safe alternatives are feasible, effective, and cost-saving.
By adopting sustainable practices, reducing single-use plastics, and driving innovation, the health care sector can protect patients, communities, and the planet while setting a global example for responsible environmental stewardship.
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Climate-Resilient Nursing: Students Driving Planetary Health
Canadian Nurse
Sophie R. Walker, a nursing student at Red River College, is leading climate action in health care through her project, Climate-Resilient Nursing: Building Student Capacity in health care Settings. Awarded a $30,000 grant, Sophie is equipping future nurses with the knowledge and skills to integrate climate adaptation and sustainability into practice.
By promoting education, advocacy, and student-led initiatives like the Planetary Health Report Card, she is inspiring a generation of nurses to become environmental stewards and drive meaningful change in health care.
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Protect Canadians from Extreme Heat
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
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As climate change drives record-breaking summer temperatures, millions of Canadians—particularly seniors, children, renters, and those with chronic illnesses—face serious health risks.
Canada currently lacks laws establishing safe maximum indoor temperatures in rental units. Municipalities and provinces must adopt regulations, expand cooling programs, and improve tracking of heat-related illness and deaths. By acting now, cities can save lives, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure no one is forced to overheat in their own home.
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ASHE Task Force Evaluates Sustainability Standards
Health Facilities Management
The ASHE Impact Analysis Task Force has completed its first phase reviewing ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 189.3, which guides the design, construction, and operation of sustainable health care facilities. The multidisciplinary team assessed each requirement to identify which exceeded baseline codes and categorized them by potential cost impact. Next, the task force will recommend revisions to ease compliance for resource-limited facilities and develop educational materials to support stakeholders.
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Horizon Hospitals Honoured for Environmental Leadership
Horizon Health Network
Horizon’s Sussex Health Centre and Saint John Regional Hospital have received ENERGY STAR® Canada’s 2025 “Building of the Year – Hospital” awards for their dedication to energy efficiency and sustainability.
This recognition highlights years of system upgrades, resource optimization, and staff commitment to reducing the hospitals’ carbon footprints, reinforcing Horizon’s leadership in environmentally conscious health care.
| | NEW! RETScreen® Expert Version 9.3 | |
The RETScreen® Clean Energy Management Software Version 9.3 upgrades include a series of new energy efficient plus deep retrofit archetypes for the Virtual Energy Analyzer (VEA). In addition, key new capabilities have been added to the software to facilitate and automate the ongoing commissioning of facilities, and to help implement RETScreen as an Energy Management Information System (EMIS).
Version 9.3 of the RETScreen® Clean Energy Management Software platform is now available for download from the RETScreen website.
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2025 Green Team Competition Showcase and Awards
Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and Alberta Health Services
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Date: September 24, 2025
Time: 9am – 11am
Location: Hybrid
In March 2025, clinical teams in the Calgary Zone were invited to participate in the 2025 Green Team Competition. Five teams have selected, implemented and evaluated high-impact sustainable projects using the Sustainability in Quality Improvement (SusQI) methodology. On September 24, the five teams will present their work at the 2025 Green Team Competition Showcase & Awards to a judging panel. Join this event to learn about the exciting projects.
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ASK US Series: Towards Good Environmental Practices for Clinical Trials
Health Research BC
Date: September 16, 2025
Time: 12pm PT/ 3pm ET
Clinical trials play a vital role in advancing health but they also leave an environmental footprint. Join the ASK US Season 6 opener to explore how clinical trial designs, site practices, and protocols can integrate Good Environmental Practices (GEPs) that reduce waste, conserve resources, and strengthen sustainability.
What you’ll learn:
- Key initiatives to embed environmental responsibility into clinical trials
- Common terms and challenges in green trial design and site practices
- Real-world examples of environmental impacts and solutions
- Practical steps sites can take to adopt sustainable practices
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Featuring ECCC on Clean Electricity Regulations & Enbridge Incentive Programs
Public Sector Energy Network
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Time: 7am PT/10am ET
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) will share insights on the new Clean Electricity Regulations (CER), helping members understand key elements, timelines, compliance expectations, and how early actions like retrofits and EV charging can support CER goals.
Enbridge will present an overview of their commercial incentive programs, highlighting opportunities to improve energy efficiency and lower operating costs.
Don’t miss this chance to hear from experts and explore practical solutions for advancing energy efficiency and clean energy goals.
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Disaster management in pharmacy: Preparing for climate crises
CASCADES
Date: September 23, 2025
Time: 9am PT/12pm ET
Health care facilities are subject to increasing challenges related to climate change, including full facility evocations following extreme weather and other climate-exacerbated disasters.
Join CASCADES in hearing the first-hand account from hospital pharmacist Sarah Stroeder on the challenges encountered during the Yellowknife evacuation, and the impact on the hospital pharmacy. Joining Sarah to give her insight and expertise is Kaitlyn Watson, a pharmacy disaster planning specialist.
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Organisational-level measurement and reporting systems
CASCADES
Date: September 25, 2025
Time: 9am PT/12pm ET
Performance measurement and reporting systems are essential for translating strategy into action. These systems help guide resource allocation, track progress, and ensure alignment with strategic goals. By measuring outcomes against evidence-based targets and timelines, they promote accountability, support decision-making, and create a dynamic feedback loop for continuous improvement and adaptation to emerging challenges. Join CASCADES for their upcoming webinar about current examples of what embedding measurement and reporting into organisational frameworks looks like in practice.
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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. | | | | |
