How IH is addressing health care's impact on the environment

Every year, we document our progress in delivering environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient health care in B.C. in the Climate Change Accountability Report (CCAR). This year’s report highlights the many dedicated staff leading programs and projects to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and prepare for a changing climate.

Here are a few of the people, teams and projects featured in this year’s CCAR:

Energy Management – Find out how energy conservation measures, retrofits and switching to clean energy sources have helped reduce GHG emissions from our buildings by 15 per cent per square metre since 2010.

Laboratory Services – Discover how the newly launched Environmental Sustainability Lab Focus Group is implementing innovative and eco-friendly practice changes, such as phasing out automatic printing of lab reports and optimizing lab equipment energy use. The Kootenay Lake Hospital Lab team was recognized by the Canadian Association of Pathologists for their efforts with the 2024–2025 Green Lab Award.

Climate Resilience – IH has developed a structured framework and methodology aligned with government policies to identify future climate impacts on health-care facilities and incorporate climate resilience measures in the design of new and renovated sites. IH’s climate resilience coordinator, Mehrnaz Makuei, collaborates with our Capital Planning and Projects teams to design our facilities so they are climate-ready.

Simulation Program – This team focuses on delivering safe, high-quality clinical simulations across the region to educate and train IH staff and physicians. They are extending the life of expired supplies and equipment to give health-care providers the chance to practice real-life scenarios during simulation education. To date, they have extended the life of more than $10,000 worth of equipment for teaching purposes.

Preparing our Communities – Read more about how we are increasing the climate readiness and resilience of communities in the Interior. We’re focusing on seasonal preparedness and response, and understanding and assessing the health impacts of climate hazards such as extreme heat, cold weather, flooding, wildfires and drought. IH has dedicated staff actively working on community-level climate resilience work.

Pharmacy Services – Learn about the key areas the pharmacy team is investigating to reduce the environmental impact of pharmacy practices, and how they are collaborating with the Metered Dose Inhaler Pilot Project team to reduce GHG emissions associated with inhalers.

“We are proud of the continued progress we have made in addressing climate change and sustainability at IH,” says Lorne Sisley, VP, Infrastructure & Support Services. “This reflects the dedication and commitment of IH’s staff and leaders to embed sustainability in all that we do.”

Like all of British Columbia’s public sector organizations, IH is required by legislation to submit a CCAR. The report provides a comprehensive overview of our actions to reduce and meet provincial GHG emissions targets associated with stationary emissions (buildings), mobile sources (fleet vehicles) and paper. 

IH’s GHG targets and sustainability priorities are also aligned with the Government of B.C.’s Clean BC Roadmap to 2030 and the Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy.

Read the 2024 Climate Change Accountability Report

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