Children’s Hospital Association Joins Health Sector Climate Pledge

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), representing over 220 children’s hospitals, joined the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Health Sector Climate Pledge, a commitment to lower greenhouse gas emissions and build a more climate resilient infrastructure. On Thursday, June 30, at a White House event, attended by representatives from CHA’s board and leadership, the administration announced 61 of the largest hospitals and health care systems signed the pledge.

“Children’s Hospital Association applauds the Biden administration on their Climate Pledge initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the health care sector and we are pleased to join our industry in reducing our carbon footprint,” said Mark Wietecha, chief executive officer of CHA.

Currently, over 650 hospitals and health care providers have committed to the climate change pledge recognizing climate as a major factor in public health. As part of the pledge, CHA has committed to meet the Biden administration’s climate goal of reducing 50% of emissions by 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 

“Environmental improvements have been and continue to be a core initiative in our mission to improve the health and futures of our nation’s children and together we can do our share to make a difference on their behalf,” Wietecha said.

In addition to reducing their carbon footprint, signatories also commit to producing detailed plans to build climate resilience for their facilities and the communities they serve.