Supporting hospital renewal through strategic environmental sustainability programs

Although the impact the environment can have on human health is well understood, the healthcare system's impact on the environment is a topic that's only been explored since the mid-1990s. More recent has been a realization of the risks that climate change poses to health and healthcare. Although there are numerous direct benefits for hospitals adapting environmental sustainability programs, this article examines how the systemic approach taken by the University Health Network's (UHN) Energy & Environment program not only improves the hospital's environmental performance and provides significant cost savings but also supports several areas of focus that are part of UHN's current journey of renewal.