In March 2025, 2023 and 2024 baseline measurements of metered-dose inhaler emissions completed. In January 2025, 2024 baseline measurement of food waste emissions completed.
February 2025
Electrical vehicle (EV) chargers installation complete across the system.
November 2024
In November 2024, tracking of emissions per patient-day was established.
In September 2024, Southcoast Health began converting their courier fleet to hybrid vehicles. In September 2024, Southcoast Health joined MHA work group to develop MassHealth sustainability requirement.
August 2024
Began initializing lighting upgrades to LED systemwide.
May 2024
First planting of lettuce in the hydroponic garden at Tobey Hospital.
On April 22nd, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recognized Southcoast Health for its public commitments to decarbonizing its operations and improving resilience in the face of climate change.
March 2024
In March 2024, Southcoast Health presents as a mentor organization at the Health & Human Services Office of Climate Change & Health Equity Catalytic Program’s breakout session.
January 2024
By January 2024, baseline measurement of Scope 3 completed.
November 2023
By November 2023, a resource plan was in place along with the Scope 1 and Scope 2 pathways. Southcoast will use the emission baseline data to guide the direction of our sustainability efforts for future projects.
In November 2023, Southcoast Health participated in a roundtable discussion in Washington D.C. with HHS Office of Climate Change & Health Equity, Premier Inc., and Yankee Alliance about sustainability in healthcare.
October 2023
In October 2023, Southcoast Health spoke at the Yankee Alliance 35th Annual Conference on the impact of climate change on patient health. Southcoast and Yankee created the Yankee Alliance Sustainability Subcommittee.
March 2023
In March 2023, Leanpath program was implemented at our hospitals in order to reduce food waste.
Baseline development is completed and the team analyzed the data to help identify major sustainability projects.
An Environmental Sustainability Specialist joined Southcoast Health and thedevelopment of the Pathway to a Sustainable Future initiative began. The University Internship Program began.
October 2022
The baseline contract was awarded in October 2022 and the Director of Sustainability position was created in December 2022 and the creation of the Environmental Sustainability Specialist position.
September 2022
Partnership with UMASS Dartmouth was established in September 2022 – UMASS Interns aid in the development of the initiative – Weave the sustainability curriculum with the study of Southcoast’s wetland areas and our waste stream reductions – Create an incubator for student sustainability careers
Development of the Sustainability Task Force and purchase of electric vehicles for community benefits department outreach efforts. Read the full story here.
June 2022
Southcoast Health joined the Biden Administration’s HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge on June 3, 2022.Read the full story here.
Spring 2022
In Spring 2022, Southcoast Health designated an executive-level sponsor, Phil Oliveira, responsible for all activities associated with the HHS Pledge along with leading Southcoast’s numerous sustainability initiatives system-wide
December 2022
Timeline Heading
Director of Sustainability and Environmental Sustainability Specialist position created.
As the region’s largest healthcare provider, we have a long history of proactively identifying our community’s needs to provide comprehensive healthcare to our families, friends and neighbors. Now we are stepping up once again with a clear mission to improve the health of our climate, which directly affects the health of us all.
Nationally, the healthcare industry accounts for approximately 8.5 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, which means we have an obligation to act decisively and immediately. As well as affecting our environment, property, and public spaces, climate change is a pressing public health crisis as the rates of asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, stroke and insect-borne diseases are on the rise as a result of greenhouse gases. In 2022, Southcoast Health committed to reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050, as well as to produce a climate resilience plan anticipating the needs of groups that experience disproportionate risk of climate related harm.
