The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) applauds the Biden Administration on their Climate Pledge initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the health care sector. The NAM joined the pledge and reaffirmed its commitment to mobilize and support organizations across the health sector in setting and meeting decarbonization goals through the work of its Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Health Sector (Climate Collaborative).
Launched in September 2021, the Climate Collaborative is a public-private partnership of over 120 organizations from across the health system committed to reducing the health sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, while strengthening its resilience. It is co-chaired by Victor Dzau, president, NAM; Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); George Barrett, former chairman and CEO, Cardinal Health; and Andrew Witty, CEO, UnitedHealth Group. The NAM Climate Collaborative convenes and coordinates a diverse range of members representing hospital systems, clinicians, health care services, biopharmaceutical and medical device companies, private payers, and government leaders.
“Addressing the current and future threat of climate change will require collective action across public and private health organizations. NAM launched the Climate Collaborative to catalyze the momentum across the health sector that we see here today,” said Dr. Dzau. “We look forward to engaging and supporting those who signed onto the pledge, through the resources and shared learning generated through the Collaborative. I am grateful for HHS’ partnership and leadership in rallying the health sector to climate action.”
Dr. Dzau participated at a White House event with HHS on June 30, 2022, to recognize organizations that made pledges. The NAM will continue to collaborate with HHS to support health organizations in taking steps towards the Biden Administration’s climate goal of reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Among the Climate Collaborative’s current priorities are to create a roadmap and resource repository to help supply chain companies start or accelerate their sustainability journeys; build the case for decarbonization for health care organizations’ C-suite leadership; bolster clinician engagement through communication and education; and develop a policy and regulatory agenda to accelerate health care decarbonization. Learn more at nam.edu/ClimateCollaborative.
