Cutting Carbon in Healthcare: New Video Explores How Hospitals Can Reduce Emissions by 90%
“Do no harm” is more than a clinical principle—it’s a responsibility that extends beyond patient care to the health of entire communities. Yet hospitals remain among the most energy-intensive buildings in our cities. As climate change increasingly shapes public health outcomes, healthcare systems face a critical opportunity: to reduce carbon emissions while strengthening care delivery, resilience and long-term value.
In a new video, Dr. Jonathan Slutzman—Emergency Department physician and Medical Director of Environmental Sustainability at Massachusetts General Hospital—explores how hospitals can dramatically lower their environmental footprint. Drawing from his experience at the intersection of clinical care, operations and sustainability leadership, Dr. Slutzman outlines a range of strategies, from electrification and high-performance building systems to renewable energy and organizational alignment. Together, these efforts show how sustainability can be embedded across healthcare systems—not treated as a standalone initiative.
The Phillip and Susan Ragon Building at MGH serves as a real-world example of these ideas in action. Designed to operate on 100% renewable energy, the building is projected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 90% compared to a code-baseline hospital—demonstrating how sustainability can be integrated into complex clinical and research environments. Currently under construction, the Ragon Building is expected to open in phases, with Phase 1 anticipated in 2027 and full completion targeted for 2030.
Together, the video and the project reinforce a broader message: when environmental stewardship aligns with clinical mission and design, hospitals can advance patient care while protecting the long-term health of the communities they serve.
