Catholic Climate Covenant named Providence St. Joseph Health as the health care winner in its 2023 U.S. Laudato Si' Champions Awards.
In honoring Providence, Catholic Climate Covenant said the Renton, Washington-based health system "has been at the forefront of environmental sustainability for two decades. With a visionary pledge to become carbon negative by 2030, Providence implemented a comprehensive environmental sustainability framework across their network of hospitals, medical office buildings and business units."
Catholic Climate Covenant is a nonprofit that partners with other organizations to inspire and equip U.S. Catholics to care for creation. Its Laudato Si' awards honor organizations that embody the spirit of the encyclical written by Pope Francis calling on Catholics to care for the natural environment and all people.
The award winners were announced July 27 at the end of the 2023 Laudato Si' and the U.S. Catholic Church Conference. The awards were given in 10 categories.
In addition to naming Providence as its top health care honoree, the covenant cited two Catholic health systems for honorable mentions. St. Louis-based Ascension was lauded in part for developing "a comprehensive Environmental Impact and Sustainability program that builds upon their existing efforts in energy conservation, waste management, recycling, and the use of renewable fuels."
CommonSpirit Health won the other honorable mention. The convenant recognized that Chicago-based system for a commitment to the environment that "is deeply ingrained in its core values and strategic plan."