This playbook provides information and resources that are relevant to many roles in the health system, including laboratory technicians, clinicians, facilities, health leaders, sustainability and energy managers, etc. The recommendations in this report are geared towards medical laboratories (including anatomical pathology) but the principles of sustainability interlaced throughout can apply to many departments in a health-care setting, or other laboratories such as research or educational. This playbook was adapted from a Greening the Lab Opportunity Investigation conducted by the Environmental Sustainability team at British Columbia’s Interior Health Authority.
This Rounds format was created so that healthcare teams can better understand how climate change is impacting the health of patients and begin to understand the greenhouse gas emissions associated with care. Team members from across health professions can be included in these presentations. This slide deck was developed by the Green MTU team, with the support of CASCADES.
This preparatory slide deck was created to introduce the Planetary Health Rounds format to learners. A Planetary Health Champion, with clinical expertise, will use this deck to explain the intention and format of the Rounds. This deck provides guidance on what to include in case presentations but does not capture the discussion during Rounds. It is important to have a Planetary Health Champion present during Rounds to provide additional context and to answer questions.
Integrating monthly Planetary Health Rounds into the Medical Teaching Unit creates protected time for education, reflection, and collaboration. At a micro level, learner champions, structured sessions, and broad participation drive engagement. At a macro level, the initiative catalyzes research, quality improvement, and curriculum expansion—positioning internal medicine as a leader in sustainable, forward-thinking care.
This resource provides an overview of work on this topic, general principles and recommendations to consider and a table of specimens exempt for automatic submission to pathology laboratories in various jurisdictions.
