A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delegation to the United Nations Climate Conference (COP27) announced via a Nov. 10 press release that more than 100 healthcare organizations have signed the White House/HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge. The delegation also says that it plans to collaborate with the National Health Service (NHS) of England and develop proposals to align procurement requirements.
The release states that “On Earth Day 2022, the White House and HHS launched the Health Sector Climate Pledge, a voluntary commitment to climate resilience and emissions reduction that includes cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Since then, 102 organizations representing 837 hospitals have signed the Pledge. In addition to hospitals, these stakeholders include health centers, suppliers, insurance companies, group purchasing organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and more. Federal systems like the Indian Health Service (IHS), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and Military Health System (MHS) are working together to meet goals similar to those the private sector organizations have embraced. Combined, this means that over 1,080 federal and private sector hospitals have made such commitments, together representing over 15 percent of U.S. hospitals.”
Further, “Today, the HHS delegation also announced a joint plan with NHS England to collaborate on a proposal to align procurement requirements as much as possible. This reflects both nations’ understanding of the significant contribution of the supply chain to the high emissions from the healthcare sector (an estimated 8.5. percent of emissions in the United States). Initial meetings between the nations will occur between now and Earth Day 2023 with an intent to align guidance as much as possible by COP28. Other nations will be invited to join these conversations.”
Notable health systems, hospitals, and other provider signatories include Advocate Aurora Health, Kaiser Permanente, Boston Medical Center, and University of California Health. Industry signatories include AstraZeneca, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and GE Healthcare. Association signatories include American College of Physicians, and The Joint Commission.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra was quoted in the release saying that “After meeting massive demands during the pandemic, healthcare organizations are again stepping up to the plate to address the threats of climate change. The organizations that signed the Pledge are demonstrating to the health sector that climate smart investments are not only possible, but are becoming standard for the industry.”
