Environmental Sustainability


Advancing the health of our planet and the people who call it home.

Ascension supports environmental sustainability by reducing our footprint while strengthening community health and resilience.

We recognize that caring for the environment is an extension of caring for people. Our commitment to environmental stewardship is an expression of our faith-based Mission, inspired by Catholic social teaching.

How we are taking action

Net-zero places

Reducing carbon sources associated with our physical environments through operational efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and sustainable transportation initiatives.

Responsible supply chain

Advancing sustainable sourcing, responsible product use, recycling, and waste management from procurement through post-use disposition.

Healthy communities

Connecting environmental sustainability with our Mission to sustain and improve the health of individuals and communities.

Empowering associates

Sustainability is driven by associates across Ascension in collaboration with Values in Action councils and Sustainability Champions in each Ministry Market. Together they champion local initiatives, share best practices, and foster a culture of environmental stewardship throughout our Ministry.

Key environmental commitments

We align our work with global and national initiatives:

United Nations’ Race to Zero: Committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 (with an accelerated internal target of 2040).
Laudato Si’ Action Platform: A seven-year global program responding to Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home.

Celebrating our progress

Shrinking our footprint

We have reduced our carbon footprint by 11.54%, the equivalent of removing 20,742 gas-powered cars from the road for one year, from our 2019 baseline.

Greening our supply chain

The Resource Group incorporates sustainability data into market surveys. In fiscal year 2026, suppliers submitted 291 responses across 133 categories, helping inform Ascension’s efforts to prioritize lower-carbon products and more sustainable standards.

Reducing food waste

Food waste digesters at 43 hospitals divert waste from landfills, reduce disposal costs, and help lower methane emissions.

Awards & recognitions

Ascension is recognized as a leader in sustainability and environmental leadership, and has received 75 awards from the American Society for Healthcare Engineering and Practice Greenhealth. Ascension also achieved international Climate Resilience and Climate Leadership awards from Health Care Without Harm.