Carbon and Energy Reduction
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Ohio State health science colleges are committed to addressing the social determinants of health, which includes the impact of the environment and climate change.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, climate effects can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular disease, weather-related injuries and premature deaths, changes in access and geographical distribution of food, threats to mental health and the development of water-borne illnesses and infectious diseases.
We recognize that great health starts with a healthy environment. As a top-rated academic health center, we’re committed to doing our part to tackle climate change by being responsible stewards of our resources through improving and maintaining efficient operations, conducting innovative research and implementing ideas that promote sustainability.
Our achievements in sustainability
In fiscal year 2024, all medical center-owned buildings decreased energy use intensity by 0.7% from FY23, and approximately 38% of the electricity supplied to the medical center at main campus and off-site medical center locations was carbon neutral with renewable energy credits.
The medical center has achieved a 72% reduction of anesthesia-related greenhouse gas emissions (from a 2018 baseline) across the health system.
We improved the diversion rate to 34% with efforts such as expansion of recycling infrastructure, collecting new types of clinical plastics for recycling, and food waste reduction efforts.