The National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore has become the first hospital in the world to receive Healthcare Sustainability Certification, a landmark recognition awarded by the Joint Commission International (JCI) in collaboration with the IHF’s Geneva Sustainability Centre.

The certification follows a rigorous assessment using the Geneva Sustainability Centre’s Sustainability Accelerator Tool (SAT), which benchmarks sustainability maturity across environmental impact, health equity, and governance. The certification was announced by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment in Singapore, during NUH Green Day 2025, the hospital’s annual flagship sustainability event highlighting its environmental progress and innovations.

Mr Jeremy Lee, Chief Operating Officer of NUH and Chair of the Sustainability Workgroup leading NUH’s green efforts, said:

“Sustainability is not a choice in healthcare. It’s a responsibility and fundamental to our long-term resilience. At NUH, we believe that every staff member, every operating theatre, and every decision can contribute to a healthier planet. This global recognition affirms our belief that care for our patients and care for the planet must go hand in hand.”

JCI and the IHF Geneva Sustainability Centre celebrate world first

Speaking on the announcement of NUH’s achievement, Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer, The Joint Commission and Joint Commission International stated:

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to The National University Hospital on becoming the first to achieve our prestigious international Healthcare Sustainability Certification. NUH’s leadership in accelerating sustainable practices – through performance assessment, strategic prioritization, and formal governance – sets a powerful example. Their efforts are making a meaningful impact on their patients, community, and the world.”

Ron Lavater, CEO of the International Hospital Federation added:

“National University Hospital’s achievement as the first hospital in South-East Asia to receive JCI and GSC’s International Healthcare Sustainability Certification marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable healthcare in the region. This certification reflects not only NUH’s commitment to environmental stewardship and resilient healthcare delivery, but also the strength of the collaboration between Joint Commission International and the Geneva Sustainability Centre. Together, we are proud to support hospitals like NUH in embedding sustainability into their core strategies through the SAT—setting a powerful example for others across Asia and around the world.”

A shared commitment with staff-led innovations

NUH’s certification reflects its continuous efforts to reduce its environmental footprint in a sector that contributes nearly 5.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while facing increasing health impacts from climate change. Some of NUH’s efforts include:

• The plastic-lite campus movement, which led to a more than 50% reduction in plastic use at pharmacies, saving around 400,000 plastic bags each year. Phasing out plastic bags for staff deskside bins has also saved an additional 200,000 bags annually.
• Move towards more environmentally friendly anaesthetic gases, which cuts carbon emission equivalent to taking over 400 cars off the road.
• Optimising air exchange rates in operating theatres, which can reduce energy use by up to 40% without compromising safety.

Striving towards net-zero emissions by 2045, NUH has reached close to a 30% reduction in waste and more than doubled its recycling rate in 2024 since 2020. As part of this year’s Green Day theme – “Recycle Better” – NUH is also committing to the goal of a 60% recycling rate by 2030.

The NUH Incredible Care For Our Planet Awards also provide an opportunity to honour workforce efforts to drive sustainability through daily operations. The winning projects include:

• Campus-wide computer shutdown protocol: Auto-power-down of 2,500 desktop computers in outpatient areas during non-operating hours saved 436,800 kWh annually – equivalent to cooling 243 homes daily for a year, with almost $95,000 in savings.
• Repacking surgical trays for knee replacements: Reduced CO₂ emissions by 42.3%, saved 151,800L of water, and cut unnecessary tools.
• Antibiotic over-prescription overhaul for wisdom tooth surgeries: Brought usage down by 69%, avoiding 14,700 kg in emissions from pharmaceutical production.
• Reuse of anaesthesia breathing circuits: Slashed usage by 60%, avoided 5,400 kg in emissions, and saved close to $40,000.
• Digital medical report workflows: Eliminated use of over 166,000 sheets of paper per year.

Other winning efforts tackled couch paper overuse, green campus cooling with reflective paint and vegetation, smarter HEPA filter replacements, and night lighting schedules that conserve energy.

“Sustainability only works when it includes everyone,” said Mr Jeremy Lee. “We’re proud to lead the way – and even prouder that it’s our people who are driving this change.”

These whole-of-hospital efforts are aligned with the National University Health System (NUHS) Green Plan Roadmap, which lays out long-term strategies across the public healthcare cluster to reduce waste, cut carbon, and embed sustainability into care delivery and culture.

Find out more about Healthcare Sustainability Certification here.