As awareness grows about the health threats posed by the climate crisis, health-related organizations are working to reduce emissions, protect the health of the communities they serve, and spur sector-wide advancements to address climate change. The Climate Action Showcase illustrates clear examples of a wide range of activities undertaken by a growing slice of the participants of the NAM initiative to Accelerate the National Climate and Health Movement. The showcase offers resources, tools, and ideas for other organizations in the health sector and beyond to replicate as they pursue efforts to address climate change and health—no matter where they are on their journey, their type of organization, or the category of climate action they choose to pursue.
The Climate Action Showcase will continue to be updated as the opportunity remains open for organizations that join the movement.
Featured Actions
Click on the organization boxes below to view highlighted examples for each type of action.
Philips
Philips has been carbon-neutral in its operations since 2020 (sites, travel, logistics) and has sourced 100% renewable electricity for all sites since 2020. In 2022, Philips became the first health technology company with SBTi-approved carbon emission reduction targets for all Scopes (1, 2, 3), including the supply chain, in line with a 1.5 C / 2.7° F global warming scenario.
Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM)
SBM’s policy ambassadors educate lawmakers about evidence-based behavioral ways to mitigate climate change and its adverse effects on health, particularly for vulnerable populations. Their Climate Change and Health Special Interest Group provides connection, training, and resources for behavioral medicine scientists to contribute meaningfully to climate change research, advocacy, and education with the goal of addressing and preventing catastrophic climate events.
Arizona Health Professionals for Climate Action (AZHPCA)
AZHPCA is a coalition of Arizona health professionals who educate, empower, and engage health professionals, the public, and policy makers on climate action so that our future will be healthy, sustainable, and equitable. Their current work involves supporting community-based organizations, creating a climate health medical student course, climate health research, and working with policy makers on resiliency in their communities.
The Wright Center for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education
The Wright Center mitigates its impact on climate change while promoting community resilience and health equity, using projects to advance an annual report inclusive of metrics that portray collective progress. Projects include implementing recycling to the adoption of educational resources, distributing ClimateRx badges to staff, communicating climate health concerns organization-wide through monthly newsletters, and building climate concerns into emergency preparedness.
Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR)
AMDR created an emissions calculator to help hospitals track reductions by using regulated reprocessed medical devices labelled for “single-use.” They use data from 8 peer-reviewed life cycle assessments comparing original to reprocessed devices that found on average 41% reduction. AMDR provides resources for sustainability managers at hospitals—and the journalists and policy makers who impact and cover their work—to make it easier to understand and document cost savings and emissions reductions.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
AHRQ supports efforts to reduce the health care sector’s greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint, create resilient health care systems and communities that can plan, prepare, respond, and adapt to climate-related threats, and address the inequitable impacts of climate change. AHRQ provides funding opportunities for researchers, develops and supports rich databases for research, convenes leaders in the field, and produces guides for organizations interested in reducing their carbon footprint.
Hayward Institute
The Hayward Institute raises awareness and understanding of home environmental exposures that can affect health, and what individuals and institutions can do to mitigate exposures and potential health impacts. This action-oriented non-profit – part thought leader and part leading practitioner – acts as a hub for the intersection of science and practice. Together, the Institute and its partners translate existing science into accessible action and share evidence-based methods that focus on healthier home environments and sustainability.
All Showcase Organizations
Disclaimer: This page lists other public and/or private organizations that are in no way under the control of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) or the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Inclusion does not imply or constitute an endorsement or promotion by NAM or NASEM of any organizations. Neither NAM nor NASEM are responsible in any way for any content, advertising, products, services or information on or available from the organizations.
