By Stuti Mankodi

In an era where the intersection of health care and environmental responsibility is increasingly critical, Greg Evans stands out as a beacon of sustainable leadership. As the Corporate Director of Sustainability for the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), Evans has been instrumental in steering Penn Medicine towards a greener future.​ "Reducing our environmental impact isn't just about operational efficiency," he says. "It's a commitment to safeguarding public health now and for future generations."

A Visionary Journey

Evans' passion for the environment was ignited early in life, inspired by the first Earth Day and further fueled by his academic pursuits in environmental economics. His professional journey traversed various sectors, including banking and environmental consulting, before he found his true calling in health care sustainability.​

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Evans earned a sustainability certification from NYU's Stern School of Business. Recognizing a gap in Penn Medicine's sustainability initiatives, he proactively proposed and established the role of Corporate Director of Sustainability, a position that has since become pivotal in the health system's green transformation.​

Under Evans' leadership, Penn Medicine has launched a comprehensive Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CSAP), targeting the health system's most significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. This includes supply chain management, food services, sanitation chemicals, transportation, and new construction projects.​

Key initiatives moving Penn Medicine’s CSAP forward:

• Implementing protocols to eliminate the use of the anesthetic agent desflurane, a potent greenhouse gas, thereby reducing the environmental impact of surgical procedures.​
• Leading the effort to develop a system-wide strategy for Energy Carbon Reduction to meet Penn Medicine’s corporate commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2042.
• Launching an analysis to implement an electric vehicle charging infrastructure at all six hospitals and several ambulatory locations
• Developing policies to reduce single use plastics in food services.

Beyond infrastructural changes, Evans emphasizes the importance of embedding sustainability into the organizational culture. New employees receive sustainability training during orientation, and ongoing education will ensure that environmental consciousness remains a core value across all levels of the health system. "It's about building a coalition. Even if your story is indisputable, you need to engage stakeholders at all levels to drive meaningful change,"​ Evans says. 

Other system-wide initiatives that help to drive down Penn Medicine’s carbon emissions include a multi-year solar contract for the Great Cove I and II facilities in central Pennsylvania. This project developed in partnership between the University and the health system will generate the equivalent of powering 70% of the electricity demand from Penn’s academic campus and health system in the Philadelphia area. 

Penn Medicine’s commitment to ensure that all new construction projects meet LEED silver or above certification was spearheaded by The Clifton Center for Medical Breakthroughs (formerly called the Pavilion). This is Penn Medicine's newest hospital at 1.5 million sf and achieved LEED Gold certification. It is also the first hospital in the United States of this size to achieve certification in LEED Healthcare. 

Inspiring the Next Generation

Evans' journey underscores the viability and significance of careers in sustainability. His advice to aspiring professionals is straightforward:​ "Get a job. Start anywhere. There are so many sustainability roles out there. Just getting into a role allows you to be creative and take on leadership opportunities in this evolving field."​