Stage 3
Measuring and Reporting Direct and Energy Emissions
In Stage 3, “Measuring and Reporting Direct and Energy Emissions,” health care organizations will focus on measuring, setting goals, and implementing strategies to reduce emissions released directly from facility operations (e.g., heating, cooling), anesthesia and fleet vehicles (Scope 1), and from electricity and steam that is purchased from a utility or other provider (Scope 2). After all, the facilities used for providing health care create higher emissions than other types of buildings.
This stage involves conducting an emissions inventory, identifying achievable goals, researching emission reduction approaches and technologies, and considering commercially ready and emerging solutions. By taking these actions, organizations can gain insights into their emissions, target feasible reduction areas, and deploy appropriate strategies to drive significant emissions reductions, moving closer to their sustainability goals.
Stage 1
Recognizing the Benefits of Environmental Sustainability and Resilience
Stage 2
Implementing Business Practices, Organizational Planning and Accountability Structures
Stage 3
Measuring and Reporting Direct and Energy Emissions
Stage 4
Measuring and Reducing Supply Chain Emissions (Scope 3, categories 1 and 2)
Stage 5
Measuring and Reducing Other Emissions
Stage 6
Striving for Continuous Improvement
Stage 4
Measuring and Reducing Supply Chain Emissions (Scope 3, categories 1 and 2)
Stage 2
Implementing Business Practices, Organizational Planning and Accountability Structures
=
Indicates the resource may require payment or be behind a paywall.
Actions
Conduct an emissions inventory to quantify and track Scope 1 and 2 emissions across the organization’s operations and energy use
- Identify potential funding sources for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements
- Internal cross-organizational department budgets
- Rebates, grants or other incentives from national, state, and regional agencies
- Organizational philanthropy
- Begin measuring and tracking Scope 1 and 2 emissions
- Obtaining accurate and reliable data on energy consumption and emissions can be challenging, particularly when data sources are decentralized or incomplete. Ensure reporting channels and timelines are established and have appropriate accountabilities
- Assess the need for additional technical expertise and obtain assistance as required
- Implementing emissions reduction measures and shifting to renewable sources requires knowledge and expertise that may not be readily available within the organization. Identify potential resources, including technical assistance from government agencies and nonprofit organizations
- Publicly report emissions and progress to avoid greenwashing
Better Buildings (S. Department of Energy)
Keck USC Sustainability & Healthcare Initiative (KUSHI) – Case Studies
Carbon Accounting 101 (National Academy of Medicine)
CDP
Clinical Decarbonization Prioritization Tool (Health Care Without Harm)
Energy to Care (American Society for Health Care Engineering)
The Field Guide to Decarbonization Planning (Ameresco)
GHG Protocol
GHG Protocol Online Training
Health Care Climate Council (Health Care Without Harm)
Health Care Emissions Impact Calculator (Practice Greenhealth)
Key Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by U.S. Hospitals and Health Systems (National Academy of Medicine)
Measuring and controlling greenhouse gas emissions (HFM Magazine)
Scope 1 and Scope 2 Inventory Guidance (S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Sustainability Roadmap for Health Care (American Hospital Association)
SBTI
Identify realistic achievable goals across Scopes 1 and 2
- Focus first on Scopes 1 and 2 that are feasible and within control
- Use your emissions inventory to target reductions in key sources of emissions
- Utilize green building resources to prioritize actions
- Identify available approaches and technologies for emissions reduction across Scopes 1 and 2 while determining the most suitable matches for your assets, operational processes, and geographic locations
- Set targets to improve energy efficiency through multiple methods such as HVAC updates, lighting retrofits, building commissioning, and energy conservation campaigns
- Set targets to increase electricity derived from renewable sources.
- Set targets to reduce emissions associated with anesthetic gases and refrigerants
- Set targets to reduce fleet vehicle emissions (e.g., replace with EVs, reduce miles traveled)
- Mitigate upfront investments through reasonable payback periods and government grants and incentives.
- Identify the commercially ready and emerging technologies to reach your decarbonization goals
Better Buildings (S. Department of Energy)
Better Buildings: Financing Navigator (S. Department of Energy)
Carbon Accounting 101 (National Academy of Medicine)
CDP
Clinical Decarbonization Prioritization Tool (Health Care Without Harm)
End-Tidal Control Versus Manual Control of Inhalational Anesthesia Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial
Financial and Environmental Costs of Manual versus Automated Control of End-Tidal Gas Concentrations
Energy to Care (American Society for Health Care Engineering)
Environmentally sustainable surgical systems
The Field Guide to Decarbonization Planning (Ameresco)
GHG Protocol
GHG Protocol Online Training
Health Care Climate Council (Health Care Without Harm)
Keck USC Sustainability & Healthcare Initiative (KUSHI) – Case Studies
Key Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by U.S. Hospitals and Health Systems (National Academy of Medicine)
Measuring and controlling greenhouse gas emissions (HFM Magazine)
Health Care Emissions Impact Calculator (Practice Greenhealth)
SBTI
Scope 1 and Scope 2 Inventory Guidance (S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Sustainability Roadmap for Health Care (American Hospital Association)
