Health Care Without Harm, an international agency seeking to reduce healthcare’s environmental footprint and make the industry a leader in sustainability, recognized UCSF Health as a 2022 Climate Champion in two categories - gold in Climate Leadership and silver in Climate Resilience. More than 50 health care institutions from 15 countries are included in this year’s cohort of climate champions.
“We’re honored to be recognized by Health Care Without Harm. Their international presence puts us in good company with the leading health systems in the world,” said Gail Lee, director, UCSF Office of Sustainability.
UCSF Health is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, preparing for the impacts of extreme weather and the shifting burden of disease, educating staff, and promoting policies to protect public health from climate change.
According to Health Care Without Harm, UCSF Health was recognized for a host of climate leadership and resilience activities. Such as:
Climate leadership award
- Installed a 250 kW rooftop solar array
- Achieved 100% carbon free electricity for buildings that purchase power from the grid, including a new electric surgery center
- Set ambitious goals such as 2% energy reduction by 2022 and Carbon neutral in scopes 1&2 by 2025
- Formally committed to climate action, divestment, representation in the Health Care Climate Council and We Are Still In
- Lobby as part of the Climate Council (at the federal level)
- Engage in advocacy work as identified in the UCSF Climate Crisis magazine highlight
- Provide education across staff, patients, community, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals
- Provide employee green benefits - multiple offerings
Climate resilience award
- Connected climate change in Community Health Needs Assessment
- CEO requires reporting on climate mitigation & preparedness
- Initiated local disaster risk planning
- Review health risks of climate change in the community
- Lead ecosystem restoration
What’s Next
UCSF and UCSF Health have a rigorous goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2025. This recognition is an encouraging marker that we’re on the right path, however, more work by everyone in our enterprise needs to be done. UCSF Office of Sustainability asks that all staff, faculty, and learners support our effort by considering the following:
- Compost properly
- Purchase Energy Star appliances (UC Policy on Sustainable Practices states that "Appliances and office equipment purchased with University funds are required to be ENERGY STAR labeled unless no ENERGY STAR labeled alternative is available.")
- Commute mindfully
Learn more about Carbon Neutrality by 2025 and sign up to receive our monthly newsletters.
Health Care Without Harm recognized UCSF Health as a 2022 Climate Champion in two categories.
