Decarbonizing Health Care: Engaging Leaders in Change

Abstract

Health care leaders are often surprised to learn that their operations contribute significantly to a warming climate. In addition to their roles as responders to and victims of extreme weather events, health care organizations have an obligation to reduce their substantial greenhouse gas emissions as part of their overall mission to do no harm and to improve health. Representing close to one fifth of the U.S. gross domestic product, the health care sector can use its purchasing power to drive the transition to clean energy and a low-carbon supply chain for the rest of the nation. Moreover, much of the shift in focus to preventive models of care and safer, higher-quality care that reduces unnecessary utilization will naturally produce lower carbon footprints. With the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, nonprofit organizations can now use the new tax credit provisions for renewable energy to support desired investments in buildings, energy infrastructure, and transportation, among others. Health care organizations and their global value chains can be influential and important catalysts for the journey to a net-zero carbon future. Here, the authors share recommendations for how leaders can build climate-smart strategies that take advantage of tax incentives and drive changes that can both energize their employees and build a more resilient system to care for their communities.