Kingston Integrated Healthcare Inc.
Member Since: 2017
Baseline Year: 2015
Baseline GHG Emissions: 12.9 tonnes CO2-equivalent
*for information on the badges, visit https://www.sustainably.eco/#/badges
About the Member:
KIHC is a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals with expertise in complementary, alternative, and integrative medicines. They acknowledge that individual health is directly reflected by the health of our environment, and are committed to actively participating in Kingston’s growing sustainability movement!
Highlighted Sustainability Projects:
Current:
Kingston Integrated Healthcare Inc had a 15% reduction on its carbon footprint since 2015.
Kingston Integrated Healthcare Inc has successfully reduced its use of natural gas (37%), electricity (22.7%), heating oil (12%) and water (10%) since its baseline. This is equivalent to removing 0.4 cars from the road for one year since 2015.
Estimated utility savings of about 15% since 2015.
2019:
Continuing to implement action plans for a paperless facility and property permaculture design
Development of community-wide educational programming that addresses individual health by encouraging environmental responsibility, including running community workshops on climate
They started a new page on their website: Environmental Health
Director Dr. Sonya Nobbe published an article in their national association journal and a patient-version on their website, along with additional blog/newsletter articles that connect various health concerns to our environment (e.g. chronic pain and circadian rhythm, insomnia and environmental cues, Lyme disease, etc.)
Sarah Knight hosts a climate change podcast
Their clinic e-newsletter goes out to more than 2000 locals and each blog article that Dr. Sonya Nobbe contributes for each issue going forward (amongst the many articles from their practitioners), will contain a spin that outlines how our relationship with our environment can play a direct role in resolving that particular health concern
2018:
Reducing number of supplier deliveries by 30% before next fiscal year end.
Reduced 10% of electricity and 34% of natural gas usage
2017:
Implementation of 2-year action plan towards “paperless practice”.
Integration of environmental responsibility principles into social media campaigns.
2016:
Building upgrades that included doubled R-value roof insulation, replacement of inefficient 40+ year-old rooftop A/C unit with high-efficiency unit, and replacement of outdoor halogen lighting with energy-efficient LED pot-lights.
Implementation of 3-year plan to convert property to sustainable permaculture design.
2014
Repeat energy audit and review progress.
Participation in Ontario’s Retrofit Program and lighting upgrades.
Internal composting program and improvements to recycling processes.
Implementation of long-term educational campaigns that promote local, organic farming practices as environmentally responsible choices. Includes annual sponsorship of Memorial Centre Farmers’ market.
2012:
Committed to lead by example and implement sustainable business practices.
Professional energy audit. Implemented simple energy saving measures, such as programmable thermostats, air-leak sealing, upgrading to high-efficiency windows and doors.