Environmental Stewardship
ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH ACTION:
DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY AND
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
While the U.S. health care sector exists to improve health, it also
generates nearly 9% of the country 's carbon emissions in the process.
We recognize that climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable
populations. As a large health system, Providence has both the
responsibility and the opportunity to lead with excellence. We act to
reduce climate impacts at both ends of the spectrum, from minimizing
our pollution to addressing the health problems that it causes.
To us, environmental stewardship is about more than
reducing our carbon footprint — it is a commitment
to building healthier communities, strengthening
resilience and addressing the social determinants
of health.
Our environmental stewardship efforts focus on making
incremental internal progress and developing a model for
the industry in five areas:
• Waste optimization: Reducing consumption, separating waste
properly, expanding recycling and composting, and repurposing
surplus medical supplies
• Energy and water efficiency: Reducing water use in highly drought-
prone areas, conserving energy across all facilities, and cutting
costs and emissions systemwide
• Agricultural food systems: Lowering food-related emissions by
tailoring strategies to local food availability, supply chains and
community need
• Chemical reduction: Reducing carbon emissions from products and
processes, including volatile anesthetic agents, and reducing the
use of harsh chemicals to ensure safer environments for patients
and caregivers
• Transportation: Making efforts to reduce emissions in every facility,
whether through fleet electrification, mass transit programs or
reductions in business travel
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
+ 21% reduction in Scope 1, 2 & 3
carbon emissions at our hospitals
since 2019 - see page 13
+ $32 million in annual savings
WASTE AGRICULTURE & FOOD CHEMICALS TRANSPORTATION ENERGY & WATER
TRACKING OUR PROGRESS
Progress looks different in every
community. What works in one region
may not be feasible in another. Our WE
ACT Scorecard and WE ACT Profile
Score help us track emissions, resource
use and cost
savings to guide
effective, localized
action. To learn
more about these
tools, see our 2023
ESG Report.
INTRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL GOVERNANCE ABOUT US
2023
Environmental,
Social and
Governance Report
Questions? Connect with our team at
environmentalstewardship@providence.org.
PROVIDENCE | ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDHIP REPORT | 6
