Sustainability

As a major provider of healthcare services to the people of Maine and a leader in the health and wellness field, we are taking steps to minimize our environmental impact while providing excellent care in a sustainable manner.

We have signed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Sector Climate Pledge to reduce emissions 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. We are making a long-term commitment to organizational sustainability and reducing our contribution to climate change.

Here we will highlight some of the activities currently underway, and share future ideas and goals designed to minimize our environmental footprint. We can proudly say that thousands of employees throughout our system are engaged and supporting this important work.

Watch to learn more about Northern Light Pharmacy’s new electric vehicles

Northern Light Health Climate Initiative

The Northern Light Climate Health Team is comprised of employees from across the system, to:

Shine a spotlight on this concern
Increase the climate science literacy of all Northern Light Health employees
Complete analysis of where we are, built around a data-driven framework
Define bold organizational emission reduction goals, aligned with the state of Maine
Develop a mitigation plan and carbon budget for the system
Implement emission reduction initiatives across our footprint
Ensure resiliency of staff and infrastructure through these changes
Foster collaboration and affiliations across the state, region, and country
Monitor progress until this work is ingrained in all our workflows and decision-making processes and top-of-mind in all we do

Early Steps

We’ve completed analysis to determine total emissions for our baseline year for Scopes 1 and 2.

We are pleased to report a 10.2% drop in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 (our baseline year) and 2022!

Scope 1

Stationary combustion

Natural gas, #2 heating oil and diesel

Vehicle usage

Company owned/leased vehicles, personal vehicles for which we reimburse mileage, and rental vehicles

Scope 2

Electrical usage

Use electrical bills and EPA guidance to calculate usage

Scope 1 Emissions

2021	2022	% Change
79,220,473 kg CO2e	72,675,301 kg CO2e	8.3%

Scope 2 Emissions

2021	2022	% Change
12,281,931 kg CO2e	9,466,950 kg CO2e	22.9%

Combined Total Emissions

2021	2022	% Change
91,502,404 kg CO2e	82,142,251 kg CO2e	10.2%

Our Commitment to Sustainability

Inform

We are increasing employee awareness and engagement through internal communications platforms and quarterly newsletters.
We regularly include educational speaker for our internal workgroup meetings.

Act

Northern Light Health developed a Climate Resiliency Plan to identify risks and vulnerabilities related to extreme weather events, rising temperatures and sea level, air quality, water access, diseases transmitted by insects, as well as how climate affects the health and well-being of our patients.
We have committed to source 60% of our electricity from renewable sources. This procurement strategy is a priority that we will continue to expand upon.
Historically, the Northern Light Health vehicle fleet has been gasoline and/or diesel powered, but through replacement and end-of-service life opportunities, we are incorporating hybrid or fully electric options whenever possible.
Supply Chain contracting processes now include vendor sustainability criteria.
Hospital boilers are being converted from #2 fuel to propane when appropriate, resulting in substantial greenhouse gas reduction and a cost savings benefit.
Many efforts are underway to reduce our electrical consumption across the system.

Partner

Northern Light Health was a member of the Climate Can’t Wait workgroup of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and is now part of IHI’s Decarbonizing Care Learning Community.
Northern Light Health is partnering with The University of Maine’s Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions to complete hospital food waste audits, the results of which will inform food service programs’ waste mitigation efforts across the organization.

A Climate Resiliency Plan for Northern Light Health

View the Plan

The temperature and weather extremes associated with climate change are associated with a number of health threats. Northern Light Health is committed to making healthcare work for you, and to addressing issues that impact the overall health and well-being of Maine people.

Clearly, there is much to be done, and as a responsible employer and community leader, we are committed to doing our part to mitigate humanity’s impact on the environment. After all, keeping the beautiful State of Maine and our planet healthy results in healthier, happier people!

Our Work

March 28, 2023

Under the Hood: Northern Light Pharmacy goes electric with new fleet of delivery vehicles

Northern Light Pharmacy recently introduced four new electric Chevy Bolt EUVs to its delivery fleet. The swap to the zero emission, more efficient vehicles was made in part to align with Northern Light Health’s Climate Health initiative, which aims to increase our contributions towards a healthier planet by implementing sustainable practices. The vehicles are located in Bangor, Waterville, and soon Portland. Brian Raymond, retail business manager, Northern Light Pharmacy shared, the leases on our former vehicles were coming to an end, and we were exploring ways to be a part of the solution to reduce the harmful effects on the Earth. These vehicles not only provided a wonderful and sustainable opportunity they also provide us with cost savings during the trade in. He adds, “According to the US Department of Energy, an electric car produces 1.2 metric tons of carbon emissions per year, while a gas car will produce 6.2 metric tons of carbon emissions? so it’s a significant savings”.

View a one-minute video featuring Northern Light Pharmacy’s electric vehicles.