| | Follow us on social media! | | |
New Resource - Explore the Nix the Nitrous National Map
CCGHC is proud to launch our interactive Nix the Nitrous Recognition Initiative Map — a growing snapshot of health care facilities across Canada that are committing to decommissioning centralized nitrous oxide systems as part of their decarbonization efforts.
This map highlights leadership in action — from early commitments to fully completed decommissioning projects — showcasing how facilities across the country are advancing low-carbon health care.
| | |
Webinar - Impact Investing in Health: From Mission to Capital Allocation
Date: April 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET
How are leading organisations approaching impact investing in health, and what can hospital foundations learn from them?
In this session speakers will demystify impact investing, explore how investing for positive outcomes fits into portfolio construction, and share real-world health-focused investment examples.
| | |
Article - Planetary health prescribing for internists
Healthy populations need a healthy planet - a concept supported by medical, ecological and social science. In this article authors present ways for internists to transform their clinical practice toward sustainable health care delivery that considers patients and the planet, and benefits both.
| | |
New Resource - The Canadian OTC Green Quick Guide 2026
CCGHC and the Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment (CAPhE) are pleased to introduce the OTC Green Quick Guide—a concise, practical resource designed to support clinicians in recommending and prescribing over-the-counter (OTC) medications with environmental sustainability in mind.
| | Upcoming Presentations - CHES Ontario Lightning Talks | |
Join us in London, ON May 24th to 26th for the upcoming CHES Ontario Conference.
Visit us at our booth AND on May 25th check out the Lightening Talks session organised by CCGHC. This session is a series of seven-minute presentations covering a range of topics from speakers working at the intersection of climate and health.
Presentations include:
- Dr. Myles Sergeant - Accreditation and Sustainability
- Ari Campbell - Aligning Capital and Investment Decisions with Health, Sustainability and Long-term Resilience
- Dr. Diane Meschino - Health Impacts of Common Indoor Contaminants
- Dr. Anita Rao - Greening The Operating Room
- Dr. Laurie Houston – Greener, Safer Reusable Health Care Items
- Tipu Islam – Circular Clinical Care: Single-Use Plastics Reduction
- Dr. Mili Roy – Vision for a Sustainable Future: An Ophthalmology Toolkit
-
Dr. Anna Gunz - Nature for healing: Bringing holistic care and healing in health care
| | |
Health Professional Plant-Forward Focus Groups
Health Care Without Harm is hosting a series of virtual focus groups to learn how to support health professionals’ efforts to promote plant-forward diets in health care. Insights from these discussions will help shape a new cohort of health professional advocates, along with the training, tools, and messaging to support their work.
Use the link below to join a focus group.
| | |
CQuIPS Healthcare Improvement Fellowship
The CQuIPS Healthcare Improvement Fellowship is now accepting applications!
This one-year program includes a Choosing Wisely stream, offering advanced training in quality improvement and de-implementation science to tackle overuse issues in Canadian health systems.
Apply by May 1, 2026.
| | |
Healthcare Excellence Canada's EXTRA program
Applications are now open for the next EXTRA, Healthcare Excellence Canada’s bilingual, team-based leadership program focused on improving quality and safety in health care. The program supports experienced leaders and their teams to advance priority initiatives through structured coaching, peer exchange and applied learning.
Apply by June 10, 2026.
| | |
ENERGY STAR Canada Awards
Celebrating Achievements
The ENERGY STAR Canada Awards recognize businesses and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency leadership in Canada.
The 2026 ENERGY STAR Canada Awards recognize Canadian achievements during the 2025 calendar year.
Apply by April 24, 2026.
| | Apply now for CHES Awards! | | |
Young Professional Grant Application: Allows architects, engineers, technicians and other technical disciplines who are just starting their careers in the health care field the opportunity to attend the CHES National Conference as an educational opportunity.
Hans Burgers Award Application: Presented to a resident of Canada as a mark of recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of health care engineering.
Wayne McLellan Award Application: Recognizes facilities that have had outstanding success in the completion of a major capital project, an energy efficiency program, an environmental stewardship program, or in a team-building exercise.
Deadline for submissions: April 30, 2026.
| | |
EU Bans an Anesthetic with a Large Impact on the Climate
The World
Desflurane is a common drug used for anesthesia, but it has a surprising link to climate change, because the excess gas is often vented straight into the atmosphere, where it is several thousand times more potent than carbon dioxide.
As of January 1, 2026 the European Union has restricted the use of desflurane. For The Big Fix, The World’s Host Carolyn Beeler spoke with Dr. Jodi Sherman about these connections.
| | |
Patients Weigh In: The Value of Health Care Environmental Stewardship to Patient Experience
Science Direct
Human health relies on a healthy planet, yet the health care sector has a substantial negative impact on the environment, and ranks among the major greenhouse gas–emitting, plastic consuming, and waste generating sectors in the U.S. To better understand patient perspectives on this issue, University of California (UC) San Diego Health surveyed patients about the role of sustainability in health care.
| | Park Prescriptions (PaRx) Announcement | |
PaRx has partnered with Hamilton Conservation Authority to connect more Hamilton-area patients to nearby nature, trails and green spaces in some of the region’s most iconic natural spaces.
Starting today, patients with a PaRx nature prescription can now access a 30-day membership pass to HCA conservation areas, including Dundas Valley, Christie Lake, Fifty Point, Valens Lake and more.
| | |
Sustainable Food Systems and Planetary Health Education for Nutritionists and Sietitians
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
The global food system is undermining human and planetary health. Urgent transdisciplinary action is required among food system stakeholders equipped to address complex challenges.
This study aims to identify and prioritise curriculum concepts for tertiary education, with the aim of preparing entry-level nutritionists and dietitians to contribute to sustainable food systems and planetary health within their practice.
| | |
Essential Readings For Health, Nutrition, Food is Medicine, & Procurement Professionals
Nutrient Density Initiative
For those working in health, nutrition, Food is Medicine, or procurement, you may be curious about the connection between soil health and nutrient density, but unsure where to begin.
The Team at the Nutrient Density Initiative put together a short list of essential readings and talking points to help guide conversations with the communities you serve, inform purchasing decisions, and support discussions.
| | |
Environmental Stewardship and Reconciliation in Health Care
Date: April 21, 2026
Time: 3 PM - 4 PM ET
This event will feature Dr. Melissa Lem, family physician, and leaders of the Lax'yip Firekeepers, Drew Harris and Grace Vickers.
This online session of BC Provincial Health Services Authority - "Ethics for Lunch" series is an opportunity for all health-care workers to examine complex ethical issues.
Register here.
| | |
What’s Really Happening with Canada’s Energy Future?
Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 7 PM - 8PM EDT
The energy transition is happening now, and countries are moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy, electrification, and smarter energy use. Canada has the resources, tech, and know-how to lead, but only if we act now. The question is: as the world shifts to clean energy, will Canada lead, or fall behind?
Register here.
| | |
Boiler Plant Optimization Project Overview and Results to Date
Date: April 29, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM ET
Join Greening Healthcare to learn about early results from their project with Enbridge Gas, piloting comprehensive boiler plant optimization measures with Etobicoke General Hospital and Southlake Health in Newmarket, and how you might take advantage of the program later this year.
Register here.
| | |
PEGASUS Hybrid Conference 2026
Date: May 1-3, 2026
Location: University of Waterloo, Faculty of Health, Ontario
The 2026 conference, Interconnected Futures: Pathways to Justice in Global Health, Peace, and Environmental Sustainability, will bring together a diverse community to share innovative strategies, research, and ideas for tackling today’s challenges, such as from the climate crisis, inequality, to political violence and health inequities.
Register here.
| | |
Showing up to the Crisis
Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM - 1PM EDT
Location: Indwell's Perkins Centre, Hamilton, Ontario
Colleagues across Hamilton, Ontario are invited to attend this workshop for professionals and community leaders on climate distress, healing, and action.
Participants will explore strategies to recognize climate distress, apply strength based approaches, and integrate frameworks into clinical care and delivery.
Register here.
| | |
Addressing the Spread of False Health Information
Date: April 22, 2026
Time: 12 PM EDT
In this session of Choosing Wisely Talks, Vice-President of CMA Media, Sophie Nadeau, will open with an overview of the CMA 2026 Health and Media Tracking Survey and share how the CMA is combatting false health information. Choosing Wisely Canada’s Primary Care Co-Lead, Dr. Janet Reynolds, will join a discussion with Dr. Ogunyemi to explore the implications of false health information for physicians.
Register here.
| | |
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. | | | | |
