Planetary Health
Restoring, stewarding and conserving healthy ecosystems for generations to come.
VCH is committed to embedding planetary health principles in all that we do, from business practices, to managing our facilities, to delivering care, and supporting climate mitigation and adaptation efforts across communities and First Nations in the VCH region.
Embedding planetary health principles in all that we do
A planetary health approach includes reducing the climate impact on the health system, particularly through reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is also a commitment to protecting the natural environment through reduced resource use and depletion. Planetary health is about ensuring our systems and services are able to continue to deliver high-quality care through climate shocks and stressors and that sustainable community development supports health for all.
By bringing together partners and teams from sustainable clinical services, public health, and energy and environmental sustainability, we are facing these challenges head-on and are committed to delivering resilient and environmentally sustainable care for the health of people, places, and the planet.
VCH is working towards three goals:
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Reduce health care emissions and achieve zero unnecessary waste
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Create a climate-resilient system able to withstand acute shocks and chronic stressors
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Support communities in both mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts
Our strategy
VCH has developed a Planetary Health Strategy for 2024-2029. The Strategy is a framework designed to address the challenges posed by climate change while also working towards making a health-care system with a smaller environmental impact. VCH is working to reduce our carbon footprint, implement sustainable clinical services, and support community adaptation and mitigation to create a healthier planet for future generations. By integrating principles of environmental stewardship into our operations, we're working towards a sustainable health-care system that prioritizes both the health of our communities and the well-being of the planet.
GreenCare
GreenCare is a network that unites efforts across the B.C. health-care community to advance our health-care system toward environmentally sustainable and resilient care for the health of people, place and planet.
Learn moreMore on our vision and other pillars
Our vision
Our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. Collectively, our actions contribute to creating safe, healthy spaces for everyone and support quality patient outcomes, access to equitable care and a great place to work.
Indigenous Cultural Safety
Committing to reconciliation and learning, and providing the best care informed by the history and culture of Indigenous peoples.