UW Medicine was recognized on April 22 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its public commitments to decarbonizing its operations and improving resilience in the face of climate change. As part of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), HHS shared that UW Medicine was one of more than 130 organizations that have joined the White House-HHS Health Sector climate pledge, committing to align with the Biden administration’s goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
One hundred and thirty-nine (139) prominent health companies in the U.S. have signed the White House/HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge, including organizations representing 943 hospitals as well as leading health centers, suppliers, insurance companies, group purchasing organizations, pharmaceutical companies and more. Federal systems like the Indian Health Service (IHS), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Military Health System (MHS) are working together to meet similar goals to those private sector organizations have embraced. Combined, this means that more than 1,180 federal and private sector hospitals have made such commitments, together representing more than 15% of U.S. hospitals.
Learn more about Health Sector Commitments to Emissions Reduction and Resilience and UW Medicine Sustainability.
