Planning Process Header

Planning Process

The following 8-step process will help you to develop a comprehensive decarbonization and resilience plan for your institution. Each step contains quick-reference links that will allow you to skip directly to the resources that we have available for that step. We encourage you to read the content below in its entirety and follow the steps in order.

There is no “one size fits all” approach to decarbonization strategy development, and every hospital will approach this work in its own unique way. Your facility may have already taken some steps toward decarbonization. Even if that’s the case, this guide — which is based on project management best practices — should still be helpful to you.

Step1

Designate an Initiative Leader

To successfully execute your decarbonization effort, an initiative leader (executive sponsor or director) will be needed. This person(s) will orchestrate the project as well as champion it.

Welcome to The New York Healthcare Decarbonization Guide.This guide is the primary resource of the New York Healthcare Protocol (NYHP), an ongoing public/private collaboration by more than 80 organizations, all of whom have contributed time, energy and expertise toward the development of this guide. The guide will aid hospitals in New York State and beyond with their decarbonization efforts. It provides first-steps assistance and technical guidance to hospitals preparing to meet climate goals as set forth in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), also known as The Climate Act. That Act, which was passed into law in 2019, mandates that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in New York State be reduced to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 85% below 1990 levels by 2050 1. In the wake of The Climate Act, other local legislation has been enacted, including New York City’s Local Law 97. Federal legislation is expected to follow in the near future 2. In anticipation of these new laws, an increasing number of hospitals around New York State are getting serious about strategically reducing their carbon emissions.This guide was created to support facility directors and other hospital staff in those decarbonization efforts. It contains tools and resources that will help hospital personnel to evaluate the current state of their facilities, develop an overall decarbonization strategy, identify and prioritize individual decarbonization projects, and secure the funding needed to cost-effectively complete them.This guide will help hospitals of all types and of all sizes, those with abundant resources and those without, to navigate the decarbonization process while also realizing their resiliency goals. It will be especially helpful to hospitals that are just beginning their decarbonization journey, however even hospitals in the midst of a decarbonization initiative may find it useful and informative.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official policy or views of the Decarbonization with Resilience Steering Committee or any of its partner organizations or contributors. For more information on the laws and regulations governing your facility improvement projects, please refer to New York State and local government resources.1 State of New York Official Website, https://climate.ny.gov2 The White House Official Website, https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/ Learn More
Step2

Understand the
Regulatory Landscape

Before you begin, it will be important to know what your hospital’s obligations are within the current regulatory landscape and what regulations may affect your institution in the foreseeable future.

Welcome to The New York Healthcare Decarbonization Guide.This guide is the primary resource of the New York Healthcare Protocol (NYHP), an ongoing public/private collaboration by more than 80 organizations, all of whom have contributed time, energy and expertise toward the development of this guide. The guide will aid hospitals in New York State and beyond with their decarbonization efforts. It provides first-steps assistance and technical guidance to hospitals preparing to meet climate goals as set forth in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), also known as The Climate Act. That Act, which was passed into law in 2019, mandates that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in New York State be reduced to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 85% below 1990 levels by 2050 1. In the wake of The Climate Act, other local legislation has been enacted, including New York City’s Local Law 97. Federal legislation is expected to follow in the near future 2. In anticipation of these new laws, an increasing number of hospitals around New York State are getting serious about strategically reducing their carbon emissions.This guide was created to support facility directors and other hospital staff in those decarbonization efforts. It contains tools and resources that will help hospital personnel to evaluate the current state of their facilities, develop an overall decarbonization strategy, identify and prioritize individual decarbonization projects, and secure the funding needed to cost-effectively complete them.This guide will help hospitals of all types and of all sizes, those with abundant resources and those without, to navigate the decarbonization process while also realizing their resiliency goals. It will be especially helpful to hospitals that are just beginning their decarbonization journey, however even hospitals in the midst of a decarbonization initiative may find it useful and informative.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official policy or views of the Decarbonization with Resilience Steering Committee or any of its partner organizations or contributors. For more information on the laws and regulations governing your facility improvement projects, please refer to New York State and local government resources.1 State of New York Official Website, https://climate.ny.gov2 The White House Official Website, https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/ Learn More
Step3

Establish Your Baselines

Assess the current state of your facility portfolio and its supporting infrastructure, its status on the road to decarbonization, and how it compares to peer institutions undertaking similar efforts.

Welcome to The New York Healthcare Decarbonization Guide.This guide is the primary resource of the New York Healthcare Protocol (NYHP), an ongoing public/private collaboration by more than 80 organizations, all of whom have contributed time, energy and expertise toward the development of this guide. The guide will aid hospitals in New York State and beyond with their decarbonization efforts. It provides first-steps assistance and technical guidance to hospitals preparing to meet climate goals as set forth in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), also known as The Climate Act. That Act, which was passed into law in 2019, mandates that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in New York State be reduced to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 85% below 1990 levels by 2050 1. In the wake of The Climate Act, other local legislation has been enacted, including New York City’s Local Law 97. Federal legislation is expected to follow in the near future 2. In anticipation of these new laws, an increasing number of hospitals around New York State are getting serious about strategically reducing their carbon emissions.This guide was created to support facility directors and other hospital staff in those decarbonization efforts. It contains tools and resources that will help hospital personnel to evaluate the current state of their facilities, develop an overall decarbonization strategy, identify and prioritize individual decarbonization projects, and secure the funding needed to cost-effectively complete them.This guide will help hospitals of all types and of all sizes, those with abundant resources and those without, to navigate the decarbonization process while also realizing their resiliency goals. It will be especially helpful to hospitals that are just beginning their decarbonization journey, however even hospitals in the midst of a decarbonization initiative may find it useful and informative.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official policy or views of the Decarbonization with Resilience Steering Committee or any of its partner organizations or contributors. For more information on the laws and regulations governing your facility improvement projects, please refer to New York State and local government resources.1 State of New York Official Website, https://climate.ny.gov2 The White House Official Website, https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/ Learn More
Step4

Gather Your Team

Identify the key people within your organization who will help build the plan, secure the necessary approvals, and then successfully implement and maintain your strategy over time.

Welcome to The New York Healthcare Decarbonization Guide.This guide is the primary resource of the New York Healthcare Protocol (NYHP), an ongoing public/private collaboration by more than 80 organizations, all of whom have contributed time, energy and expertise toward the development of this guide. The guide will aid hospitals in New York State and beyond with their decarbonization efforts. It provides first-steps assistance and technical guidance to hospitals preparing to meet climate goals as set forth in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), also known as The Climate Act. That Act, which was passed into law in 2019, mandates that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in New York State be reduced to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 85% below 1990 levels by 2050 1. In the wake of The Climate Act, other local legislation has been enacted, including New York City’s Local Law 97. Federal legislation is expected to follow in the near future 2. In anticipation of these new laws, an increasing number of hospitals around New York State are getting serious about strategically reducing their carbon emissions.This guide was created to support facility directors and other hospital staff in those decarbonization efforts. It contains tools and resources that will help hospital personnel to evaluate the current state of their facilities, develop an overall decarbonization strategy, identify and prioritize individual decarbonization projects, and secure the funding needed to cost-effectively complete them.This guide will help hospitals of all types and of all sizes, those with abundant resources and those without, to navigate the decarbonization process while also realizing their resiliency goals. It will be especially helpful to hospitals that are just beginning their decarbonization journey, however even hospitals in the midst of a decarbonization initiative may find it useful and informative.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official policy or views of the Decarbonization with Resilience Steering Committee or any of its partner organizations or contributors. For more information on the laws and regulations governing your facility improvement projects, please refer to New York State and local government resources.1 State of New York Official Website, https://climate.ny.gov2 The White House Official Website, https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/ Learn More
Step5

Set Your Project Vision

What are the primary value drivers of your initiative? What do you want, need, and expect to accomplish in developing and implementing a decarbonization and resiliency strategy?

Welcome to The New York Healthcare Decarbonization Guide.This guide is the primary resource of the New York Healthcare Protocol (NYHP), an ongoing public/private collaboration by more than 80 organizations, all of whom have contributed time, energy and expertise toward the development of this guide. The guide will aid hospitals in New York State and beyond with their decarbonization efforts. It provides first-steps assistance and technical guidance to hospitals preparing to meet climate goals as set forth in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), also known as The Climate Act. That Act, which was passed into law in 2019, mandates that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in New York State be reduced to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 85% below 1990 levels by 2050 1. In the wake of The Climate Act, other local legislation has been enacted, including New York City’s Local Law 97. Federal legislation is expected to follow in the near future 2. In anticipation of these new laws, an increasing number of hospitals around New York State are getting serious about strategically reducing their carbon emissions.This guide was created to support facility directors and other hospital staff in those decarbonization efforts. It contains tools and resources that will help hospital personnel to evaluate the current state of their facilities, develop an overall decarbonization strategy, identify and prioritize individual decarbonization projects, and secure the funding needed to cost-effectively complete them.This guide will help hospitals of all types and of all sizes, those with abundant resources and those without, to navigate the decarbonization process while also realizing their resiliency goals. It will be especially helpful to hospitals that are just beginning their decarbonization journey, however even hospitals in the midst of a decarbonization initiative may find it useful and informative.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official policy or views of the Decarbonization with Resilience Steering Committee or any of its partner organizations or contributors. For more information on the laws and regulations governing your facility improvement projects, please refer to New York State and local government resources.1 State of New York Official Website, https://climate.ny.gov2 The White House Official Website, https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/ Learn More
Step6

Secure Funding

You’ve got your high-level plan, now explore the available Federal, state, and local programs and resources to help you cost-effectively implement your strategy.

Welcome to The New York Healthcare Decarbonization Guide.This guide is the primary resource of the New York Healthcare Protocol (NYHP), an ongoing public/private collaboration by more than 80 organizations, all of whom have contributed time, energy and expertise toward the development of this guide. The guide will aid hospitals in New York State and beyond with their decarbonization efforts. It provides first-steps assistance and technical guidance to hospitals preparing to meet climate goals as set forth in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), also known as The Climate Act. That Act, which was passed into law in 2019, mandates that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in New York State be reduced to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 85% below 1990 levels by 2050 1. In the wake of The Climate Act, other local legislation has been enacted, including New York City’s Local Law 97. Federal legislation is expected to follow in the near future 2. In anticipation of these new laws, an increasing number of hospitals around New York State are getting serious about strategically reducing their carbon emissions.This guide was created to support facility directors and other hospital staff in those decarbonization efforts. It contains tools and resources that will help hospital personnel to evaluate the current state of their facilities, develop an overall decarbonization strategy, identify and prioritize individual decarbonization projects, and secure the funding needed to cost-effectively complete them.This guide will help hospitals of all types and of all sizes, those with abundant resources and those without, to navigate the decarbonization process while also realizing their resiliency goals. It will be especially helpful to hospitals that are just beginning their decarbonization journey, however even hospitals in the midst of a decarbonization initiative may find it useful and informative.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official policy or views of the Decarbonization with Resilience Steering Committee or any of its partner organizations or contributors. For more information on the laws and regulations governing your facility improvement projects, please refer to New York State and local government resources.1 State of New York Official Website, https://climate.ny.gov2 The White House Official Website, https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/ Learn More
Step7

Implement

You’ve secured your people, made your plan, and secured the funding it’ll take to get it all done, it’s time to set to work. This section will guide you through implementation.

Welcome to The New York Healthcare Decarbonization Guide.This guide is the primary resource of the New York Healthcare Protocol (NYHP), an ongoing public/private collaboration by more than 80 organizations, all of whom have contributed time, energy and expertise toward the development of this guide. The guide will aid hospitals in New York State and beyond with their decarbonization efforts. It provides first-steps assistance and technical guidance to hospitals preparing to meet climate goals as set forth in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), also known as The Climate Act. That Act, which was passed into law in 2019, mandates that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in New York State be reduced to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 85% below 1990 levels by 2050 1. In the wake of The Climate Act, other local legislation has been enacted, including New York City’s Local Law 97. Federal legislation is expected to follow in the near future 2. In anticipation of these new laws, an increasing number of hospitals around New York State are getting serious about strategically reducing their carbon emissions.This guide was created to support facility directors and other hospital staff in those decarbonization efforts. It contains tools and resources that will help hospital personnel to evaluate the current state of their facilities, develop an overall decarbonization strategy, identify and prioritize individual decarbonization projects, and secure the funding needed to cost-effectively complete them.This guide will help hospitals of all types and of all sizes, those with abundant resources and those without, to navigate the decarbonization process while also realizing their resiliency goals. It will be especially helpful to hospitals that are just beginning their decarbonization journey, however even hospitals in the midst of a decarbonization initiative may find it useful and informative.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official policy or views of the Decarbonization with Resilience Steering Committee or any of its partner organizations or contributors. For more information on the laws and regulations governing your facility improvement projects, please refer to New York State and local government resources.1 State of New York Official Website, https://climate.ny.gov2 The White House Official Website, https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/ Learn More
Step8

Measure & Verify

As projects are completed it’s going to be important to track results, report them where appropriate, and publicize accomplishments and ultimately tie back to your original goals.

Welcome to The New York Healthcare Decarbonization Guide.This guide is the primary resource of the New York Healthcare Protocol (NYHP), an ongoing public/private collaboration by more than 80 organizations, all of whom have contributed time, energy and expertise toward the development of this guide. The guide will aid hospitals in New York State and beyond with their decarbonization efforts. It provides first-steps assistance and technical guidance to hospitals preparing to meet climate goals as set forth in New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), also known as The Climate Act. That Act, which was passed into law in 2019, mandates that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in New York State be reduced to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 85% below 1990 levels by 2050 1. In the wake of The Climate Act, other local legislation has been enacted, including New York City’s Local Law 97. Federal legislation is expected to follow in the near future 2. In anticipation of these new laws, an increasing number of hospitals around New York State are getting serious about strategically reducing their carbon emissions.This guide was created to support facility directors and other hospital staff in those decarbonization efforts. It contains tools and resources that will help hospital personnel to evaluate the current state of their facilities, develop an overall decarbonization strategy, identify and prioritize individual decarbonization projects, and secure the funding needed to cost-effectively complete them.This guide will help hospitals of all types and of all sizes, those with abundant resources and those without, to navigate the decarbonization process while also realizing their resiliency goals. It will be especially helpful to hospitals that are just beginning their decarbonization journey, however even hospitals in the midst of a decarbonization initiative may find it useful and informative.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official policy or views of the Decarbonization with Resilience Steering Committee or any of its partner organizations or contributors. For more information on the laws and regulations governing your facility improvement projects, please refer to New York State and local government resources.1 State of New York Official Website, https://climate.ny.gov2 The White House Official Website, https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/ Learn More
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