When Kaiser Permanente talks about improving the health of its communities, it’s not just talking about doctor visits. The health plan provider has rolled out a lofty plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from its 2008 levels within the next eight years. It plans to meet those goals by making use of renewable energy sources and decreasing energy consumption through conservation.

Greenhouse gas emissions are not only linked to climate change, but can also contribute to a rise in pollution and diseases. For instance, ground-level ozone, created by a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight, can worsen bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

image via Recurrent Energy

Kaiser’s 2008 greenhouse gas emissions were an estimated 819,000 metric tons. That amount jumped to 837,000 by 2010. Under its new plan, Kaiser wants to reduce its emissions by 264,000 metric tons by 2020.

“Kaiser Permanente is committed to creating healthy communities, and it’s critical we work to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment,” Bernard Tyson, president and chief operating officer of Kaiser Permanente, said in a statement. “We all take pride in our focus on prevention at Kaiser Permanente, and that includes taking a stand to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”

To meet those goals, the company plans to focus on green building techniques to help conserve as much energy as possible. It will also look to renewable energy sources like solar and fuel cell energy to provide cleaner energy for its operations.

Already, Kaiser is working on initiatives in California with Recurrent Energy. Through that partnership Kaiser has installed 11 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation at 11 of its facilities. In terms of fuel cells, the company has agreed to implement 4 MW of fuel-cell generation at seven of its facilities in California by the end of 2012.

The company said it is already supporting wind power by purchasing renewable energy credits that resulted in the a reduction of 12,700 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2011. Additional changes include investing $2.4 million in new lights and window-film installations expected to save roughly $1 million each year in energy costs.

kaiser recurrent
image via Rucurrent Energy

The healthcare company has already garnered acclaim for its green industry practices in the IT world. Computerworld named the company No. 1 in its “User” division of Green IT Organizations. Kaiser stood out for its green data center in Napa, Calif. By using cooling efficiency measures, electricity costs savings at the data center totaled $450,000. The company also earned a $300,000 incentive from the local utility.

“We recognize that, as a health care organization, it is our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment so that we can better protect people’s health,” Raymond J. Baxter, senior vice president for Community Benefit, Research and Health Policy at Kaiser Permanente, said in a statement. “Our efforts to minimize our impact on the climate reflect a commitment to the total health of our members and our communities.”