Energy efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives are a team effort at BC Cancer
Collaboration is at the heart of a suite of initiatives aimed at reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from BC Cancer buildings and operations. While delivering cancer care to British Columbians and conducting advanced cancer research, the agency is working hard to reduce health care’s environmental impacts. This has been a collaborative effort across BC Cancer with input from leadership, facilities maintenance and operations, project management office and many others, including the Energy and Environmental Sustainability (EES) team.
There has been a lot of engagement and collaboration across BC Cancer on these energy efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives,”
says Ghazal Ebrahimi, PHSA energy and carbon emissions manager.
The energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects progressed in fiscal 2021/2022 will be integral in reducing the total energy consumption, cost and carbon emissions. Annually, these projects are estimated to save more than 25,000 GJ of natural gas, over 900,000 kWh of electricity and approximately 1,300 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, these efforts are anticipated to save BC Cancer more than $360,000 in energy and carbon offset costs each year.
At BC Cancer – Vancouver, studies of the lighting and mechanical systems are underway to identify opportunities for saving energy and reducing carbon emissions in the facility, while enhancing indoor environmental quality and comfort in the building. There is also work with the Radiology Department looking at potential energy savings in the use of CT scanners.
Also in Vancouver, the BC Cancer Research Institute (BCCRI) has recently gone through a lighting retrofit and major heat recovery project, which are expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and save energy. BCCRI also recently completed a project focused on optimizing building controls to reduce energy use, energy cost and carbon emissions.
At BC Cancer’s Surrey and Victoria locations, energy and carbon emissions reduction projects are in progress. PHSA is also developing plans for energy studies and projects at BC Cancer – Kelowna and BC Cancer – Prince George.
“It has been great to see so much interest from operations and clinical staff,” says Ghazal. She highlights the work of the Facilities Maintenance and Operations team in particular: “They have been integral in these initiatives since they are the ones directly dealing with mechanical, electrical and all other building systems. Making our buildings more sustainable couldn’t happen without their help and support.”
This work has a direct impact on everyone’s well-being and experience in PHSA facilities, says Ghazal. When working together to make progress on sustainability goals, everyone benefits. These initiatives will bring a positive change to our clinicians, staff and the patients we care for.
