April 17th, 2025

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COALITION SPOTLIGHT

Webinar - Planning Sustainable Meetings and Conferences for Health Care

Date: April 24th, 2025

Time: 9am PST/12pm EST

Join the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care and PEACH Health Ontario for an engaging webinar on sustainable meetings and conferences in health care. Health care events generate significant waste, emissions, and food-related impacts.



This session will explore:

• Practical strategies for hosting sustainable health care events
• Food choices that align with planetary health and hospital sustainability goals
• Reducing the carbon footprint of travel, catering, and event logistics
• Real-world examples of hospitals leading sustainable event initiatives

NEW Article - The environmental elephant in the office: medications

Primary care providers play a crucial role in reducing health care’s carbon footprint, especially through environmentally conscious prescribing and deprescribing of medications. Pharmaceuticals, including both prescribed and over-the-counter drugs, are responsible for a significant portion of health care emissions, with legacy prescriptions and improper medication disposal further compounding environmental harm. Incorporating sustainable prescribing into clinical practice and medical education offers a powerful opportunity to improve patient outcomes while mitigating climate impact.

NEW Article - Journey of a pill

The study outlines the extensive global supply chain involved in producing and distributing a clonazepam pill, filled in Vancouver, BC. From the initial extraction of raw materials in India and China to various stages of manufacturing, quality testing, and packaging across Asia, Europe, and the United States, the pill travels through multiple countries and continents.

Final distribution routes span from U.S. facilities to Canadian pharmaceutical hubs before reaching consumers. This complex process results in an estimated travel distance of over 63,000 km, underscoring the environmental and logistical footprint of pharmaceutical production.

NEW Collaboration - Forgot For A Moment Foundation

The Coalition is thrilled to highlight its collaboration with the Forget For A Moment Foundation. Together, we are committed to transforming health care spaces by integrating the healing power of nature through plants and gardening. In 2024, the Foundation launched its Healthcare Planter Program, successfully distributing the first 30 JASMA Healthcare Planters—innovative, mobile, and adjustable planters—thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Desjardins Credit Union and other contributors.

Now, we are excited to introduce the 2025 Project, aiming to distribute an additional 100 JASMA Healthcare Planters: 50 in Ontario and 50 in Québec. We are proud to share that the very first planter has been donated to the St. Margaret CHLSD in Montreal, in collaboration with The Drummond Foundation.

As Michel Gauthier, CEO, states: “Testimonials we are receiving clearly support the fact that the JASMA Healthcare Planters not only provide an ecological approach to health but also enhance the ambiance of health care environments. They serve as a source of relaxation and stress reduction, offer opportunities for therapeutic horticulture, and create a vibrant garden experience year-round, regardless of the season.”

Join us in championing this vital initiative! Together, let’s spread the healing power of nature in our health care spaces.

Team Feature: Sandra Alexander

Welcome to our new series, where each newsletter will feature a key member of the Coalition team! For this feature, meet Sandra Alexander.

Sandra graduated from McMaster University with a MSc. in Global Health. Combining her passion for promoting human health and years of experience leading interdisciplinary teams to implement sustainable changes, she joined the Coalition in fall 2024 as Project Manager for Circular Clinical Care: Reducing Single-Use Plastics in Health Care. Led by her enthusiasm for innovation, Sandra is eager to collaborate with health care and environmental leaders to build a healthier future for people and the environment.

"Sustainability is an expansive principle at the Coalition. Working as environmental stewards at the intersection of human and ecosystem health, we recognize that human well-being is deeply connected to the health of the planet. For us, sustainability means transforming health care into a force for climate resilience and justice—deconstructing barriers to promote wellness at every level. The greatest asset to our success is the vast network of individuals who engage with our interdisciplinary team and share our passion for green health care. Ultimately, I admire that sustainability is not just a deliverable for the Coalition; it is a guiding lens that shapes every aspect of our projects, from social advocacy to clinical leadership. Through this work, we are proactively building a future where health care protects both people and the ecosystems we all depend on." - Sandra

Keep an eye out for our next feature!

EARTH WEEK EVENTS

Tree planting in Hamilton, ON - Sign up today!

Hamilton Sustainability Action Project (HSAP)

If you're in the Hamilton or surrounding areas take action this Earth Month and volunteer at a tree planting event near you! There are a number of tree planting events happening from April to September that are open to all volunteers.

This Earth Month, consider joining the Hamilton Sustainable Action Project (HSAP) and take part in local climate action—sign up today to get involved.

Upcoming events

• April 19th at the Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area
• April 26th at the Old Hamilton Aviary RBG

Connecting People + Planet + Prosperity: A Webinar Series for Earth Week 2025

Canadian Wildlife Federation

Earth Day 2025 provides an ideal platform to inspire global action and foster collaboration for a sustainable future. To mark this significant occasion, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, in collaboration with its partners, will be hosting a four-part webinar series during Earth Week, focusing on the intersections between biodiversity and critical global issues.

Join us April 24th, 2025 from 2:00-3:15 PM EST for Health and Biodiversity. We will explore the critical connections between biodiversity and human health.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

GHG Management Training – Unlock Practical Solutions for Decarbonization at an Exclusive Price

ECO Canada

Date: Tuesday, April 29th, 2025

Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM MDT 

Location: The Kahanoff Centre for Charitable Activities, 105 12 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, AB T2G 1A1 

Are you ready to take actionable steps toward a low-carbon future? Join ECO Canada’s GHG Management Training on April 29, 2025, and gain essential skills and knowledge to drive decarbonization efforts in your organisation. Whether you’re new to the world of greenhouse gas (GHG) management or looking to enhance your existing expertise, this event is designed for professionals who want to make a tangible impact in achieving Net Zero goals. 

2025 Hybrid, multi-site Field course on ecosystem approaches to health

CoPEH-Canada Course and Webinar Series

Date: May 8th - June 3rd, 2025

Format: Two ways to participate: as a student in one of three universities, the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), the University of Guelph, and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), or as a participant in the 8-part webinar series (not for credit, a certificate is provided).

The 2025 Hybrid, Multi-site Field Course on Ecosystem Approaches to Health will explore the connections between health, ecosystems, equity, and society through a blend of webinars, workshops, fieldwork, and land-based learning. This year’s theme, “Reciprocity, Land and Health,” reflects the course’s commitment to transformative, relationship-centered learning.

Canadian Health Care Construction Course

CHES

Date: May 28-29, 2025

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton

30 Fairway Rd S Kitchener, ON

If you are a health care facility manager or construction professional either working in the health care market or looking to expand into this market, you need this certificate. Become one of the elite in the health care construction market by earning your Healthcare Construction Certificate, giving you and your company a competitive edge when negotiating contracts with health care facilities.

Over 600 individuals have received certificates to date!

The Canadian Healthcare Construction Course is approved as an accredited course for Gold Seal Certification by the Canadian Construction Association.

CLIMATE ACTION

Position statement - Environmental Stewardship, Sustainability, and Planetary Health Related to IPAC

Infection prevention and control Canada (IPAC)

Despite clear evidence of health care’s environmental impact and guidance from Canadian health organisations since 2005, implementation of sustainable practices has been slow. Recent updates, including the 2024 IPAC Canada Program Standard, urge integration of environmental stewardship into infection control, procurement, and staff education. Emphasizing prevention, reuse, and evidence-based decision-making, the goal is to align patient safety with sustainability and planetary health.

Integrating Environmental Sustainability into Clinical Laboratories

CASCADES

This practical playbook offers step-by-step guidance to help health care teams implement low-carbon, sustainable, and climate-resilient practices. Developed in collaboration with experts, the playbook includes evidence-based recommendations, real-world examples, and tools relevant to a wide range of roles—from laboratory technicians and clinicians to facilities managers and sustainability leads. While it focuses on medical labs, particularly anatomical pathology, the principles apply across many departments and health care settings.

BIODIVERSITY

NEW! RETScreen^® Expert Version 9.2 now offers direct connection to ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager

EVENTS

Climate Rounds: Sustainable Surgery

Choosing Wisely

Date: April 23rd, 2025

Time: 9:00am PST/ 12:00pm EST

Operating rooms (ORs) use three to six times more energy per occupied space than other hospital areas and generate approximately one-third of its waste. But simple changes in surgical practice can cut waste, reduce energy-intensive sterilization, and lower greenhouse gas emissions without compromising patient care.

Join Choosing Wisely Canada and the Canadian Medical Association for this event to hear experts share how to lead sustainability efforts in the OR and practical strategies to drive meaningful environmental change in surgical care.

Sustainable Health Care: Where Health Care and Climate Change Intersect

Collaborative Centre for Climate Health & Sustainable Care

Date: May 21st, 2025

Time: 9:00am PST/ 12:00pm EDT

As climate change continues to pose significant challenges to global health, health care systems must adapt to reduce their environmental impact. This session offers global perspectives on the intersection of health care and climate change, including insights from New Zealand and Australia. Dr. John Bonning will discuss how stewardship and incorporating Choosing Wisely principles can help build more efficient and environmentally sustainable health care systems.

Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Health Supply Chains

ATACH

Date: May 6, 2025

Time: 5:00 am PST/ 8:00am EST

This Technical Meeting, co-hosted by WHO and Unitaid, will provide a platform to discuss priority actions and successful experiences to advance towards climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health supply chains. Discussions will explore strategies for strengthening supply chains, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring equitable access to essential health commodities in the face of climate change.

Weaving Indigenous Perspectives into Pharmacy Practice

CASCADES

Date: May 13th, 2025

Time: 9:00 pm PST/ 12:00pm EST

Join Métis pharmacist Amy Lamb, Executive Director of the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada, as she shares her experiences supporting pharmacy services to Indigenous communities as a front-line pharmacy professional and systems advocate. This webinar will focus on the experiences of community pharmacies building sustainable distribution to rural and remote communities and navigating health access through climate emergencies.

SusQI Showcase May 2025

Sustainability in Quality Improvement (SusQI)

Date: May 13th, 2025

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am EST

The SusQI Showcase 2025 is a free online event hosted by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 14:00 to 16:30 BST. It aims to highlight real-world applications of Sustainability in Quality Improvement (SusQI) across health care systems.The showcase will feature case studies from NHS Trusts in Bradford and Northampton, as well as international examples from Alberta Health Services in Canada and KitNewCare in Europe. Keynote speakers include Heather Baid, Dr. Lorna Jackson, Mary Pegington, Chris Hunt, Dr. Jocelyn Cornish, Clare Topping, and Harry Simmonds.The event is designed for health care professionals, students, educators, and leaders interested in integrating sustainability into quality improvement practices.

2nd Forum on Healthcare Infrastructure, Atlantic Canada

Canadian Institute

Date: July 14 - 15th, 2025

Location: Halifax Convention Centre, Halifax, NS

Seize the opportunity to connect with leaders in health care facilities planning, construction, design, and clinical operations at the Canadian Institute’s Forum on Healthcare Infrastructure, Atlantic Canada. This essential event will provide critical insights into project delivery best practices, national and regional trends, and the status of major developments across Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

With an aging population driving urgent facility upgrades, this event fosters collaboration on innovative solutions for health care design, construction, and delivery across the East Coast.

Save 10% with the CCGHC promo code: D10-999-CCGHC25

8th Annual Forum on Healthcare Infrastructure, Western Canada

Canadian Institute

Date: June 19th – 20th, 2025

The 8th Annual Forum on Healthcare Infrastructure, Western Canada, will be held in Vancouver, offering an opportunity to network with industry leaders and explore strategies for health care infrastructure design and construction.

Attendees will examine procurement models, learn about evolving standards, and meet with key decision-makers to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge health care facility delivery.

Register now to save 10% with promo code: D10-999-CCGHC25.

PEACH Health Conference 2025

PEACH Health Ontario

Date: May 21st, 2025

Time: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Location: Royal Botanic Gardens Rock Garden, Hamilton, ON

Join PEACH Health Ontario for the first PEACH Health Conference 2025, an exciting in-person event where you can connect with and learn from experts in sustainability, planetary health, family medicine, and knowledge translation.

This year's theme is Environmental Sustainability in Primary Health Care. Don't miss this opportunity to network, learn, and grow with students and professionals in the field!

CHES 2025 Webinar Series

Dates and Topics:

• April 23rd, 2025 - Structural Upgrade of Pre-Code Hospital Building to Meet Modern Safety and Operational Standards
• May 21st, 2025 - CSA Z462 2024 Edition Significant Impacts for Hospitals
• June 18th, 2025 - Flooring & CSA Z8000 Canadian Health Care Facilities Planning, Design and Construction
• October 15th, 2025 - Infection Prevention and Control
• November 19th, 2025 - Improving Energy Efficiency While Saving Precious Real Estate and Reducing Operational Costs: How Wastewater Heat Recovery Helped Toronto Western Hospital Achieve All Three

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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