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CHEO is building a greener, healthier future for children and youth —today and for generations to come. We are making our hospital more climate-friendly and sustainable.
As the pediatric health centre of Canada’s capital, CHEO was one of the first few in Canada to measure its greenhouse gas emissions and set a net zero goal. We have a bold 10-year redevelopment plan that includes investing in our campus to make it net-zero and climate‑resilient.
Through collective action, we’re rethinking our places, spaces and operations to
create a greener, healthier hospital.
Advancing sustainability in the operating rooms
CHEO has introduced a Waste Management System to eliminate disposable suction canisters, reduce CO₂ emissions and improve staff safety while streamlining workflow. The team also uses reusable surgical gowns and drapes whenever appropriate and has reduced plastic waste through more sustainable options. The team also uses a reprocessing program, which gives certain instruments a second life, helping divert waste from landfills.
Transforming hospital infrastructure through a deep energy retrofit
CHEO has completed a deep energy retrofit to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. Upgrades include a new electric boiler, high-efficiency heat pumps, and improved heating and ventilation systems to enhance reliability while supporting clean indoor air. These upgrades are equivalent to removing 766 cars from the road each year.
Latest news:
A data‑driven dashboard approach to net‑zero health care
CHEO is developing a comprehensive net-zero dashboard to put data at the heart of our decisions and strengthen long-term decarbonization planning. This tool will track progress toward net zero targets through data visualizations and analytics, helping identify where we are today and where we need to go. It will support strategies that reduce environmental impact.
Strengthening climate care in the pediatric intensive care unit
CHEO’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is embedding sustainability into clinical decision‑making by identifying and reducing low‑value care. Through a scoping review and targeted quality improvement initiatives, including a new breathing trial protocol to avoid prolonged mechanical ventilation that will improve patient care while lowering costs and minimizing environmental impact.
Sustainable solutions in medication management
Coming soon!
Reducing waste in the emergency department
Practical, front-line driven initiatives are helping reduce waste without compromising patient care in one of CHEO’s busiest environments. Efforts include installing a new water bottle-filling station to help limit single‑use plastics in the department and removing exam table paper to minimize paper waste.
Building a more sustainable supply chain
CHEO’s is switching from single-use items to greener alternatives, like cutlery made from recycled cardboard. We are also reducing waste from everyday clinical supplies and working with our vendors to minimize packaging. This includes buying local and buying Canadian where possible, including personal protective equipment, and sourcing locally manufactured diapers from New Brunswick
Expanding electric vehicle stations
CHEO added 21 new electric vehicle stations in the new parking garage on Ring Road, which is next to the main entrance of the General campus of The Ottawa Hospital.
Latest news:
New Integrated Treatment Centre designed for a sustainable future
The building will include high-efficiency systems such as heat pumps, advanced ventilation, energy recovery, and intelligent controls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve comfort, and lower operating costs. The project is also planning an innovative approach to physically connect the new building to the main CHEO campus to enable future district energy sharing between buildings. The six-storey building is set to open in 2028.
Latest news:
Kids these days are facing a lot. Because the world has changed, and so have their health issues. Kids these days need our help—and yours—more than ever.
Join our biggest fundraising campaign ever to transform pediatric care
Have you registered for MyChart?
MyChart is a free, secure, online patient portal that connects patients to parts of their CHEO electronic health record, anywhere, at any time.
