Simply Greener

On Earth Day 2022, the White House and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Climate Change and Health Equity launched the Health Sector Climate Pledge, a voluntary commitment to climate resilience and emissions reduction that includes cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. MemorialCare along with more than 100 other organizations have joined the White House/HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge, demonstrating our commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and building more climate resilient infrastructure.

As part of our efforts, we launched the Simply Greener project at MemorialCare, which establishes the structure, awareness and support to review and implement green initiatives.

Through Simply Greener, we focus on increasing the strength and sustainability of our organization, supporting our local communities, reducing our carbon footprint, and implementing green operations and business innovation opportunities.

 
Our Workforce

We encouraged our medical staff and employees to become Simply Greener ambassadors. As ambassadors, our employees pledge to participate in efforts to reduce their environmental impact on energy, waste, paper, food and water, both at work and at home.

Our Buildings

We created a system-wide master facilities design and plan that optimizes future needs and reduces our carbon footprint: healing, brand, lean flow, acuity-adjustable and lower carbon emissions.

As a health system, we have been recognized with a sustainability award:

• MemorialCare Shared Services was recognized in 2022 with a “ASHE Energy to Care Award,” which honors health care facilities for achievements in health care sustainability.

And we are eligible for several other certifications:

• The Medical Tower at Saddleback Medical Center and MemorialCare Shared Services are both on the way to receiving Energy Star certification. Energy Star is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy that promotes energy efficiency.
• The Cherese Mari Laulhere Children’s Village at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach is in the process to be recognized as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold building. LEED-certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people.