A new report shows Boston hospitals have decreased their energy use by 4 percent and emissions by 2.9 percent from 2011 to 2013, according to an article on the Boston Business Journal website.

The December report, prepared by Health Care Without Harm and with participation of the Health Care Working Group of the Boston, is part of a decades-long, citywide initiative to decrease energy use throughout Boston, the article said.

Local hospitals saw a 4 percent reduction in energy use from 2011 to 2013. Also, greenhouse gas emissions for the sector decreased by 2.9 percent from 2011 to 2013. 

"When you consider that historically the hospitals, healthcare nationally and healthcare in Boston add, in some cases, to their load every year, offsetting (increased energy demands) and keeping (energy use) flat is a major accomplishment,"  Paul Lipke, a senior advisor for energy and buildings with Health Care Without Harm, said.

Read the article.