Environmental sustainability
We're building a new model of environmentally sustainable health care, one that connects our personal well-being to that of the environment.
Environmental sustainability is everyone's story
At Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), our purpose is to come together as one collective team to deliver an exceptional care experience for all. Working towards environmental sustainability helps us achieve that. With a focus on planetary health and climate change, our goal is to ensure everyone can access health services and enjoy good health for generations to come.
How we are working towards environmental sustainability
The Energy and Environmental Sustainability team (EES) works closely with a range of departments across VCH to improve health while reducing health care's environmental impact. Together, our purpose is to inspire and empower all we work with, to collaboratively enable systemic transformation, so that we can restore and regenerate the interdependent health of people, place and planet—now and for future generations.
Where we are focusing our efforts
Climate change
Move towards a climate-resilient health system and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in facility design and operations.
Energy and carbon
Reduce our carbon footprint by increasing energy efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Leadership and innovation
Collaboratively build a culture of transformative leadership and innovation in environmental sustainability in health care.
Food
Develop plant-forward, local, culturally relevant and equitable food service to advance food as medicine.
Materials
Choose materials and products that contribute to human and environmental health while avoiding waste and unnecessary chemicals.
Transportation
Increase access to and use of transportation modes that reduce negative environmental impacts and benefit human health and wellness.
Water
Minimize water consumption to reduce demand on natural resources and impact on our living environments.
Our GreenCare network
Founded by EES, GreenCare is a network that unites efforts within the B.C. health care community to transform our health care system toward environmentally sustainable and resilient care for healthy people, places and the planet.
Visit the GreenCare websiteQuestions?
If you have a question about environmental sustainability at VCH, please email GreenCare.