Transforming healthcare: the PEACH Approach to reducing emissions and achieving net-zero

The healthcare sector has recognised its significant emissions and climate impact, and is beginning to address emission hotspots. However, implementing necessary changes while working with current stressors in the sector such as high patient volumes, limited resources, and staffing shortages, remains a challenge. PEACH Health Ontario (Partnerships for Environmental Action by Communities within Health care systems) was launched in 2021 to address this and has grown to a national scope of work with some of our initiatives. This paper outlines the ‘PEACH Approach’ to guide healthcare towards a net-zero future. This article describes how PEACH Health Ontario and the PEACH Approach were developed. We identify the various areas of healthcare sustainability that PEACH focuses on as well as our approach to collaboration and engagement across the sector. The PEACH Approach has led to the creation of specialty-specific green guidebooks, the Green Office Toolkit, and other knowledge mobilisation materials targeting system-wide transformation. These solutions are developed through multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge translation, ensuring practical and evidence-based recommendations. The PEACH Approach drives a cultural shift in healthcare sustainability, creating solutions that lead to tangible outcomes. By using knowledge translation, providing practical solutions, and engaging with stakeholders, PEACH charts a course forward for both people and the planet.