As one of the nation’s largest non-profit and Catholic health systems, Ascension is deeply committed to its mission of providing compassionate care to all people, with a focus on those who are poor and vulnerable. Rooted in the values of Catholic social teaching and inspired by the legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, Ascension strives to honor both human dignity and the environment through its work. The release of the FY24 Environmental Impact and Sustainability Report celebrates these values and Ascension's continued environmental leadership.
Ascension's FY24 report outlines the significant progress made in the organization’s ongoing efforts to minimize waste, reduce its carbon footprint, and address the impacts of climate change on the communities it serves. Ascension recognizes that as a major healthcare provider, it has a responsibility to drive environmental change, leveraging its governance, resources and infrastructure to create a positive impact.
FY24 Environmental Impact and Sustainability report details our commitments and achievements in living out this work:
- Upstream: Ascension continues to improve climate resilience in communities through engagement and by advocating for policies that protect the vulnerable. By understanding climate-related health risks, Ascension helps educate communities and develop action plans to mitigate extreme weather events.
- Midstream: Data-driven initiatives help Ascension screen for social factors that impact health, such as asthma. By targeting social determinants, the organization seeks to lower preventable emergency department visits, particularly those related to climate conditions and environmental factors.
- Downstream: In a move to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, Ascension successfully eliminated desflurane—an inhaled anesthetic with high global warming potential—from its formulary. This change is equivalent to removing over 10 million miles driven each year.
Future Commitments and Goals
The report also emphasizes Ascension’s ambitious goals for the future. By 2030, Ascension aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% and divert 50% of non-hazardous waste from landfills. Looking toward 2040, Ascension is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions and zero waste across all its facilities.
Through these initiatives, Ascension seeks to not only improve the health of the individuals it serves but also contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future. These efforts align with Ascension’s broader environmental strategy, which encompasses its participation in global sustainability initiatives like the Race to Zero, Health and Human Services Health Sector Climate Pledge and the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
To read the full report and learn more about Ascension’s ongoing environmental efforts, please download the FY24 Environmental Impact and Sustainability Report.
