By HFT Staff

Kaiser Permanente announced it is committing to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. As part of reaching net zero, Kaiser Permanente has joined the recently announced U.S. Health and Human Services climate pledge, launched to mobilize the healthcare sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Kaiser Permanente says its approach is consistent with data from a recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, which highlights the importance of continued short- and long-term action to further protect people from the worst health consequences of climate change, and challenges organizations in all sectors to cut emissions in half by 2030. 

The work toward reaching net-zero emissions, which means reducing greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, will go beyond removing carbon from our energy use and direct greenhouse gas emissions. Kaiser Permanente says it will effectively aim to address greenhouse gas emissions created from purchased goods and services, investments, business-related travel and transportation, waste, and employee commuting. 

Working toward achieving net zero aligns with Kaiser Permanente’s dedication to creating healthier, more resilient communities by addressing factors that determine health, supporting affordable housing creation and services to address homelessness, connecting our members to food assistance, funding school-based programs to improve kids’ emotional well-being, and aiding the pandemic recovery in communities across the U.S. hardest hit by COVID-19.