Dignity Health divests holdings in coal energy, calls climate change a public health issue

San Francisco-based Dignity Health has announced it will limit its investments in thermal coal companies, focusing instead on sustainability and investment opportunities that address climate change.

The nonprofit has recently urged its portfolio managers to consider environmental sustainability when making investment decisions and has decided to divest its holdings in a number of energy companies.

Dignity has also pledged to increase its use of renewable energy to 35 percent and to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2020, goals which the company says it is on track to surpass.

"Our healing mission requires us to recognize the impact of climate change as a prominent public health issue," said Shelly Schlenker, vice president of public policy, advocacy and government affairs at Dignity Health, in a statement. "Because of this, we've taken a hard look at our environmental policies and taken steps to make sure that we limit our relationships with the worst environmental offenders."

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Dignity Health will be attending meetings concurrent with the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris, participating in panel presentations encompassing topics such as low-carbon healthcare and financing of the energy transition.

"We will continue advocating for aggressive strategies that will directly cut the risk to public health," said Sister Susan Vickers, vice president of corporate responsibility, in a statement. We hope our actions will inspire other health care organizations to reevaluate their environmental policies. We believe that by working together, large organizations like ours can have a significant impact on improving sustainability."

Gary Cohen, founder and president of Health Care Without Harm, said in a statement that, healing the climate is central to the mission of healthcare, as exemplified by Dignity's decision to refocus its investments.

The organization's push to screen out coal from its portfolio "signals a new era in which health care aligns its mission to heal with its financial investments," he said.

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Dignity Health also sponsors the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, which guides hospitals to reduce energy and waste, choose safer and less toxic products and buy and serve healthier foods.

It also influence the passage of a California bill which aims to increase the state's renewable energy use and energy efficiency in buildings by 50 percent.

California State Senate President Kevin de León said in a statement that Dignity has demonstrated concrete action in attacking the tricky business of climate change.

"We need more businesses to show the same integrity and leadership on this issue," he said.

Twitter: @JELagasse