Health Care Without Harm applauds the announcement today of a new United States’ Nationally Determined Contribution (U.S. NDC) to the Paris Agreement to achieve a 50-52% reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution in 2030. This commitment puts us on the path to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change and will help build international momentum for ambitious climate action leading up to November’s U.N. climate negotiations (COP26) in Glasgow.
As the world begins to emerge from the pandemic, we urge the Biden administration to prioritize a national health care decarbonization strategy in line with the U.S. NDC and the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The health care sector is responsible for 4.4% of net greenhouse gas emissions globally and 8.5% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. As the only sector with a healing mission, health care has the responsibility and opportunity to play a leading role in equitable and healthy climate solutions.
Our newly released Global Road Map for Health Care Decarbonization, developed in consultation with health leaders from around the world, charts a course for health care decarbonization from now to 2050. To accomplish this critical goal, we need the full engagement and accountability of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to work in coordination with other government agencies and Congress to build a climate-resilient, climate-smart, and equitable health care system to protect the health of all Americans.