Learning from peer best practices: Leading for sustainability
From 1 to 6 February, healthcare leaders took part in the study tour, “Leading for sustainability: Best practices in the UK and Norway”, held in London and Oslo in collaboration with Dialog Health. The programme provided participants with practical insights into how sustainability strategies are being implemented across different healthcare systems.
Embedding sustainability into hospital operations
The visit began in the United Kingdom with sessions at Greener NHS, where participants received an overview of the British healthcare system and the NHS net zero ambitions. Discussions focused on reducing emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, highlighting the importance of supply chain engagement and national-level coordination in achieving measurable progress.
At University College London Hospital (UCLH), participants examined how sustainability is integrated into daily operations. Key initiatives included the decommissioning of nitrous oxide systems and the transition from single-use to reusable and reprocessed items. These initiatives are generating both emissions reductions and financial savings, demonstrating the business case for sustainability.
BUPA Cromwell Hospital shared its approach to implementing a comprehensive sustainability strategy. Participants learned about heat capture from air handling units, demand-based heating control systems, and technology to capture and recover anaesthetic gases. The hospital has banned desflurane and is addressing nitrous oxide leakages, while also reducing reliance on single-use items.
Sustainable infrastructure and innovation in practice
In Norway, meetings at the Norwegian Directorate of Health focused on national strategy and policy. Participants explored the organization of the Norwegian healthcare system, its digitalization and AI ambitions, and the integration of sustainability into procurement policies. A workshop using the Geneva Sustainability Centre’s CELL simulation tool, led by María del Carmen Menéndez Calzada, provided practical guidance on carbon measurement methods and emissions-reduction levers for healthcare organizations. This workshop supported participants in identifying concrete next steps for their own institutions.
At Oslo University Hospital, participants visited the new Life Sciences building under construction, which will become a high-tech laboratory designed for more efficient and sustainable sample processing. The hospital’s sustainability efforts include reused furniture, supplier engagement to reduce carbon footprints, and cooperation with the NHS. Innovative cooling solutions using snow and expanded hospital-at-home initiatives demonstrated how infrastructure, procurement, and care models are evolving together.
Diakonhjemmet Hospital presented its sustainability strategy at both Foundation and hospital levels. Initiatives include zero-emission vehicles, food waste reduction, and home-based care projects for elderly patients. An ambulatory geriatric team and digital tools that help patients manage conditions remotely are helping reduce hospital visits while maintaining quality of care.
The study tour was very well received, with participants actively engaging in discussions, sharing experiences, and reflecting on how the lessons learned could be applied within their own organizations. The opportunity to see sustainability strategies in action across different health systems and care settings was particularly valued. As one NHS participant noted:
“I would really recommend this opportunity for members. It’s really useful to get that on-the-ground knowledge about what’s happening elsewhere.”
The IHF extends its sincere thanks to Dialog Health, to all host institutions, their leaders, sustainability teams, and speakers for their valuable contributions, and to the participants for their active engagement and commitment to advancing sustainable healthcare.
