CommonSpirit Health announced on April 22 its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact, including a pledge to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and a target of reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030.
This announcement comes as U.S. hospitals collectively generate over 5.9 million tons of waste each year, highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship in healthcare operations. CommonSpirit Health’s initiatives aim to lessen the sector’s footprint while supporting community health.
The organization reported saving over 62 million gallons of water and diverting approximately 470,000 pounds of carbon dioxide through its Food Recovery Program in California and Washington. It also recycled nearly 299 tons of electronics and almost 4,000 tons of cardboard and mixed materials across its facilities. Additional measures include more than halving anesthetic gas pollutants and diverting over 128 tons of medical waste from landfills.
Sustainability is also integrated into new construction projects, with guidelines covering the use of clean materials, comprehensive recycling programs for staff and patients, water bottle filling stations, increased tree planting around clinics, and energy-efficient equipment installation. Community outreach includes recovering over 229,000 pounds of food in California and Washington—translating into more than 194,000 meals provided to people in need—and providing around 14,000 rides for patients facing barriers to care.
Thirteen CommonSpirit Health hospitals have received recognition for environmental excellence from Practice Greenhealth. The system has adopted a sustainable procurement policy throughout its network and earned an A-List distinction from the CDP Supplier Engagement Assessment for influencing suppliers toward environmentally responsible practices.
Chi Memorial Hospital Georgia is part of this system that features hospitals, care sites, and freestanding outpatient imaging centers according to the official website. The hospital has been recognized for quality care and patient safety according to the official website, forms part of CommonSpirit Health according to the official website, includes three hospitals with sixty-five care sites according to the official website, aims to enhance lives through superior care according to the official website, and is led by President Janelle Reilly according to the official website.
CommonSpirit Health said these steps are part of a broader journey “to operationalize lower emissions and reduce our environmental footprint.” The organization stated that such commitments support “CommonSpirit’s vision of a healthier future for all – inspired by faith, driven by innovation and powered by our humanity.”