Advocate Aurora Health has set a goal of powering its facilities with 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030, the health system announced today.
The health system said it will evaluate the financial feasibility of adding on-site renewable energy to all major construction and renovation projects over the next decade. Advocate Aurora said it will likely use a combination of on-site, off-site and purchased renewable electricity to meet its goal, paired with energy efficiency efforts to lower overall energy demand among its facilities.
The health system operates 27 hospitals and more than 500 outpatient sites, stretching from northwest Wisconsin to central Illinois.
“Clean power produces clean air, and clean air helps save lives,” said Bill Santulli, chief operations officer of Advocate Aurora Health. “This commitment builds upon our strong track record of leadership in sustainability and environmental stewardship.”
Advocate Aurora Health said it is the first health system in Illinois to make a public goal of converting its facilities fully to renewable electricity.
Meeting its goal would reduce the health system’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by 392,657 metric tons, which is equal to removing more than 84,000 cars from the road each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.
“As the 10th largest not-for-profit integrated health system in the country, it’s imperative that we help lead the way toward a healthy environment that can support healthy people. Transitioning to clean energy reduces air pollution that is responsible for many chronic health conditions and mitigates the health impacts of climate change,” said Mary Larsen, director of environmental affairs and sustainability for Advocate Aurora Health. “Accelerating our work to make good on this pledge is just another way we will support the health and wellness of the patients and communities we are privileged to serve.”
Advocate Aurora Health and Ascension Health are members of the Health Care Climate Council, a coalition health systems working to reduce the carbon footprint of health care delivery.
