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Hospitals and health systems are reducing harmful chemicals and building safe healing environments for patients, staff, and the communities they serve.

The Climate and Health program supports the health care sector in reducing its emissions impact, building climate-smart and resilient hospitals and communities, and mobilizing health care's ethical, economic, and political influence to advance the transition to a more sustainable, equitable future that supports healthy people living on a healthy planet.

With leadership and expertise from Health Care Without Harm’s Healthy Food in Health Care program, dedicated staff at more than 2,000 health care facilities across North America are supported in implementing policies and programs uplifting sustainable food systems. They leverage their respected voices, purchasing power, investments and other assets to develop food systems that conserve and renew natural resources, advance social justice and animal welfare, build community wealth, and fulfill the food and nutrition needs of all eaters now and into the future. 

Through health care’s food purchasing, menuing, waste management, and investing decisions, they can reduce their climate impact and support the growth of resilient food systems. Plant-Forward FuturePlant-forward is trending and chefs are discovering creative recipes that satisfy customers and increase sales. Hospitals in the Healthy Food in Health Care network are innovating and collaborating across food service and clinical care departments to highlight the mouthwatering flavors, health and environmental benefits, and cost-savings that plant-forward meals can provide.Act nowPurchase, menu, and market plant-forward meal optionsOur curated set of resources, Plant-Forward Future, help health care facilities set a plant-forward goal, menu and market plant-forward dishes, and track their progress. Many leading health systems are partners of Practice Greenhealth, our membership organization. Practice Greenhealth provides tools, resources and a community of practice to implement sustainable strategies in health care.The Coolfood Pledge is a platform to help...

Every day, health care organizations make choices about the products and services they use, from medications, food, and hospital supplies, to the energy source used for lighting and powering operating rooms. Our collective purchasing power can shape the marketplace, increase demand for sustainable products, and embrace our broader healing mission.More than 70% of emissions from the health care sector are primarily derived from the health care supply chain – the production, transport, use, and disposal of goods and services that the sector consumes. – “Health care climate footprint report” by Health Care Without Harm and ArupThe COVID-19 crisis exposed the fragility and vulnerability of our global supply chains. It also has given us an opportunity to move toward localized supply chains that not only reduce environmental harm but also provide local business opportunities and jobs.When deciding on products and services, health care organizations should consider...

Hospitals generate millions of tons of waste each year. Waste is complex, expensive to manage, and a common challenge for health care organizations. We draw from best practices from hospitals across the country and the world to provide a wealth of tools and resources for health care to minimize the volume of waste generated, reduce the toxicity of waste by making smarter purchasing decisions upstream, and properly segregate and recycle waste.

Support our mission to transform the health care sector so it reduces its environmental impact, becomes a community anchor for sustainability, and a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. Donate today or explore other ways to give.

Join leaders at the forefront of health care transformation. Everyone has a critical role to play to reach our vision of a sustainable, equitable, and healthy world. From hospitals, health systems, and health care professionals to policymakers and members of our communities, here’s how you can make a difference.

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