Environmental Stewardship Program
Environmental Sustainability
Our Vision for Sustainability
Ascension recently made a public commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions and zero waste by 2040. This commitment will establish Ascension as a leader in sustainability as we encourage other healthcare organizations to join us. These three pillars will guide our work:
- Net Zero Places focuses on carbon sources associated with physical environments. This pillar considers the carbon footprint and operational efficiency of facilities as well as sustainable transportation.
- Responsible Supply Chain focuses on the flow of goods from their procurement all the way through their disposition after use—encompassing sustainable sourcing, product usage management, recycling and waste management.
- Healthy Communities focuses on the relationship between sustainability and social determinants of health, linking this back to Ascension’s Mission to sustain and improve the health of individuals and communities the ministry is privileged to serve
Learn More About Our Environmental Efforts
- Review the FY23 Environmental Impact and Sustainability Annual Report which details Ascension’s work towards its environmental goals and the progress we made last fiscal year.
- Read a Health Progress article about our environmental efforts.
- Listen to a Good Day Ascension Podcast that highlights Ascension's Environmental Impact & Sustainability goal.
- Visit the Environmental Impact and Sustainability microsite for more information. (login required)
Our Commitments
Ascension announced its participation in the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign and has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. (Ascension’s goal is to achieve net zero carbon 10 years prior to this goal.)
Ascension signed the Laudato Si’ Action Platform in response to Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical on Care for our Common Home. The seven-year global program was formed as a collaboration among the Vatican, Catholic organizations and individuals around the world.
Ascension signed the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge. By signing the pledge Ascension commits to meet the administration’s climate goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Green Team
Associates from across Ascension make up the System Green Team. This team provides leadership for the Environmental Impact and Sustainability programs. The dedication of Green Team members allows the Environmental Impact and Sustainability program to foster a culture in which every person understands that stewarding our natural resources is a fundamental, individual responsibility at Ascension.
Awards
2023 Governor’s Texas Environmental Excellence Award
The Ascension Texas Market won a 2023 Governor’s Texas Environmental Excellence Award. Ascension Texas won in the “Innovative Operations/Management” category for changes in operation or management that benefit the environment. This award recognizes Ascension Texas’ work to support Ascension’s Mission to sustain and improve community health and the lives of individuals we are privileged to serve.
2023 Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Award Recipients
Recognized for superior performance in environmental sustainability, covering a range of programs and activities.
- Ascension Alexian Brothers (Elk Grove Village, Illinois)
- Ascension All Saints Hospital - Spring Street Campus (Racine, Wisconsin)
- Ascension Genesys Hospital (Grand Blanc, Michigan)
- Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola (Florida)
- Ascension St. John Medical Center (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
- Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham (Alabama)
- Ascension Via Christi St. Francis (Wichita, Kansas)
- Dell Children's Medical Center (Austin, Texas)
- Lourdes Hospital (Binghamton, New York)
2023 Energy Star Certifications
The following Ascension sites of care received Energy Star Certifications, demonstrating outstanding performance in facility operations with a focus on energy efficiency.
- Ascension St. Vincent Clay (Brazil, Indiana)
- Ascension St. Vincent Warrick (Boonville, Indiana)
- Ascension St. John Owasso (Oklahoma)
- Ascension NE Wisconsin – St. Elizabeth Campus (Appleton, Wisconsin)
- Ascension Saint Thomas Hickman (Centerville, Tennessee)
- Ascension St. Vincent Jennings (North Vernon, Indiana)
- Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County (Middleburg, Florida)
- Ascension NE Wisconsin – Mercy Campus (Oshkosh, Wisconsin)
- Ascension Seton Williamson (Round Rock, Texas)
- Ascension Seton Hays (Kyle, Texas)
Green Champion Awards
Ascension’s own Environmental Impact and Sustainability program recognized 12 hospitals and their Green Teams with FY21 Green Champion awards. The awards are based on Ascension’s FY23 goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and municipal waste solids sent to landfills.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Best in Class
- Ascension St. Vincent’s Fishers (Fishers, Indiana)
- Dell Children’s Medical Center (Austin, Texas)
- Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas (Austin, Texas)
Most Improved
- Ascension Seton Highland Lakes (Burnet, Texas)
- Ascension Providence DePaul Center (Waco, Texas)
- Ascension St. Vincent Jennings (North Vernon, Indiana)
Improving Waste Management
Best in Class
- Ascension Via Christi St. Francis (Wichita, Kansas)
- Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital - Madison Heights Campus (Madison Heights, Michigan)
- Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Most Improved
- Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Clair (Pell City, Alabama)
- Ascension Seton Williamson (Round Rock, Texas)
- Ascension Seton Northwest (Austin, Texas)
2022 Partner for Change Award Recipients
Recognized for superior performance in environmental sustainability, covering a range of programs and activities.
- Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Ozaukee (Mequon, Wisconsin)
- Ascension Saint Mary – Chicago (Illinois)
- Ascension St. Vincent Anderson (Anderson, Indiana)
- Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham (Alabama)
- Ascension St. Vincent's Southside (Jacksonville, Florida)
- Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas (Austin, Texas)
- Lourdes Hospital (Binghamton, New York)
2022 Partner Recognition Award Recipient
Recognized for commitment to environmental improvements and progress in several areas of the organization.
- Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital (Rochester, Michigan)
2021 Climate Champion awards from Health Care Without Harm
Ascension internationally recognized for environmental efforts
- Climate Resilience – Gold
- Climate Leadership – Gold
Focus on Sustainability
Read more about our sustainability efforts in the Good Day Ascension magazine.