OAKLAND, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente has reached an agreement for a major renewable energy purchase that will empower it to achieve its goal of being carbon neutral by 2020.

With this announcement, Kaiser Permanente, recognized as the leading health care sponsor of the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, underlines its commitment to improving the health of individuals and communities by focusing on climate change.

Kaiser Permanente’s power purchase agreement for 180 MW of clean energy – which is enough to power 27 of its 39 hospital – will enable the construction of utility-scale solar and wind farms, and one of the country’s largest battery-energy storage systems.

The agreement is part of a comprehensive portfolio of renewable energy solutions and greenhouse gas reduction strategies that together, enable Kaiser Permanente’s clean energy future.

“Climate change is here. We are seeing the effects of it in devastating wildfires, hurricanes and droughts already impacting people’s lives,” said Chairman and CEO Bernard J. Tyson. “At Kaiser Permanente, we understand that one of the most effective ways to protect the health of the more than 68 million people in the communities we serve is by ensuring healthy environmental conditions. By investing in renewable energy and becoming carbon neutral, Kaiser Permanente is helping to prevent climate-related illness for people worldwide.

Kaiser Permanente continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental consciousness in the public health system.

The organization first announced its goal to become carbon neutral in 2020, noting several. These achievements include:

• Reaching a 29 percent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions since 2008, while increasing our membership by 36 percent.
• Reducing water usage by 12 percent per-square-foot of building space since 2013.
• Opening California’s first LEED Platinum hospital, the Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center in April 2017.
• Hosting California’s first hospital-based renewable microgridat the Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center.
• Issued $1 billion in Green Bonds to fund LEED Platinum and Gold building projects.
• And lastly, joining RE100, California Healthcare Climate Alliance, Ceres Connect the Drops and other climate leadership initiatives.

Tyson also delivered statements during the opening plenary of the Global Climate Action Summit on Thursday, Sept. 13.

The post Kaiser Permanente Aims to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2020 appeared first on HCO News.