Climate Change Initiatives at the UVM Medical Center
The University of Vermont Medical Center is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and mitigating health issues caused by climate change. We believe collaboration is key to reducing our environmental impact.
Green Transportation for Employees
The UVM Medical Center's green commitment has lead to changes in how we handle cars and parking. Several local and national organizations have given us awards for limiting onsite parking, encouraging carpooling, and providing incentives for use of public transit.
Our collaboration with the Campus Area Transportation Management Association has produced steady progress on these issues, and we continue to find ways to make "green" transportation options available to our 7,000 employees, including offering discounted bus and ferry tickets, as well as carpooling opportunities, to employees. We're also a member of CATMA, which offers incentives for employees who walk or bike to work. In 2017, our alternative transportation programs helped employees avoid 1,171,082 pounds of carbon.
Burlington 2030
The UVM Medical Center recently joined Burlington 2030, a local partnership that aims to reduce transportation emissions, energy use, and water consumption by 50% by 2030. This collaborative is part of a national network of cities working to fight climate change.
Climate Pledge Coalition
In June 2017, the UVM Medical Center joined the Vermont Climate Pledge Coalition, which aims to uphold greenhouse gas emission reduction standards established by the Paris Climate Agreement. This means achieving a 26% reduction in Vermont's greenhouse gases (from their 2005 level) by 2025.