N.J. Health System is Nation’s First to Achieve The Joint Commission’s Voluntary Sustainability Certification
The health care field accounts for approximately 8.5% of the nation’s carbon emissions. In recent years, many health care organizations have dedicated resources to the effort to lower carbon emissions and realize significant health, social and economic benefits.
Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest health network, is the nation’s first health system to receive a voluntary certification for sustainability from The Joint Commission.
In March 2024, The Joint Commission specifically recognized four of the network hospitals’ achievements with its Sustainable Healthcare Certification, which was created to assist health care organizations begin, continue or expand their decarbonization efforts.
Among the projects undertaken by four of the network’s hospitals are:
- Implementation of 30 megawatt on-site solar and battery storage system.
- Investment of more than $116 million in energy-efficient infrastructure upgrades.
- 100% of electronics purchased in 2022 were EPEAT-certified.
- $1.71 million saved through reprocessing medical devices and diverting 40,000 pounds of waste from landfills.
- 99% of furnishings purchased were free of harmful chemicals.
- 96.7% of cleaning products were third-party eco-logo certified (green).
The Joint Commission noted that all four hospitals set priorities and governance for sustainability initiatives, including creating baselines to measure three sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and developing an action plan to reduce them. The four hospitals also underwent a virtual certification review to meet The Joint Commission’s performance and accountability standards.
“This certification demonstrates our leadership in this critical area and our dedication to protecting the health of our patients, communities and planet for generations to come," said Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.