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September 26, 2022 — OTTAWA — A global organization that helps health-care facilities reduce their carbon footprints is recognizing CHEO as a Canadian and world leader in ‘going green.’
After reviewing submissions from more than 4,000 health-care facilities around the world – 195 of those in Canada – the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE) presented CHEO with a Global Energy Award following a ceremony in Toronto, September 20.
“If health care facilities were a country, they would be the third largest polluting nation in the world. At CHEO, we want to do our part and do better,” says Trevor Stewart, CHEO’s Chief Building and Planning Officer. “Part of ensuring the best life for children and youth is making sure we’re creating a better, more sustainable future for all. This award recognizes our commitment to that. And we’re not done yet.”
IFHE challenged health-care facilities to reduce their total emissions by five percent from 2019 to 2021. CHEO more than tripled this target, reducing total energy use by 15.39% - the greenhouse gas equivalent of taking 483 cars off the road.
How? By installing more energy-efficient lighting, improving heating and cooling systems, and reducing energy waste. These initiatives have been supported by the CHEO Foundation and operational savings have been redirected to frontline care for kids.
Team CHEO continues to look for new ways to ‘Kick the Carbon’ and do more for the planet – from reducing medical waste, to sustainable commuting and work policies, and installing chargers for electrical vehicles.
“At CHEO, we believe everyone has a part to play in keeping our community and our planet livable and healthy,” says Alex Munter, CHEO’s president and CEO. “Achieving these reductions is a real team effort, and we won’t stop here. We plan on continuing to Kick the Carbon, targeting a 30% total reduction by 2025.”
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Media contact
media@cheo.on.ca
About CHEO
Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.