Winning the Green Healthcare Game HealthAchieve celebrates green achievements in healthcare By Kent Waddington, Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care Each year at HealthAchieve, innovative organizations are recognized for their achievements in energy efficiency, water conservation and protection, waste management, and overall individual leadership. The annual Green Health Care Awards, organized by HealthAchieve in conjunction with the OHA and the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, hold a special place at this event, since it provides a chance to showcase leadership and excellence in reducing the sector’s environmental impact – a topic that is near and dear to the hearts of stakeholders 38 Canadian Healthcare Facilities
throughout the sector. This year’s winners will be announced at HealthAchieve 2012, being held November 5 to 7 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. (For details on 2012 submissions, visit www.healthachieve. com/greenawards) The standouts in this area also provide an opportunity for others within the community to learn best practices. The following is a sampling of how some of the 2011 Green Health Care Award Winners excelled in their commitment to environmental stewardship and achieved award-winning status from their peers.
Energy Efficiency: London Health Sciences Centre The London Health Sciences Centre began a formalized Energy Stewardship Program in 2003 in order to develop a complete energy package. This comprehensive program consisted of several components, including energy procurement, retrofits, and monitoring and tracking of energy costs; as well as staff engagement and behavioural change. As part of the energy procurement i n i t i a t ive , L H S C wo r ke d w i t h a consulting agency to establish goals,