Geneva Sustainability Centre
The IHF’s Geneva Sustainability Centre supports leaders of hospitals and health systems on the journey to low-carbon, equitable, sustainable, and resilient care.
IHF members around the world recognize the role that hospital and healthcare leaders play in delivering services that contribute to a healthier environment and healthier people. We know that together we can drive actions in our sector that will deliver benefits for our organizations, our workforce, and our communities. The impact on quality of life, resilience, and wellbeing will improve health for all. This transition will also reduce the burden on hospitals and health systems.
Who we are
The Geneva Sustainability Centre team is here to support hospital leaders on the journey to low-carbon, equitable, sustainable, and resilient care – based on the needs of your organization and its setting. We work with current and future healthcare executives to drive this transformation at leadership, management, and institutional levels.
What we do
Low-carbon healthcare delivery is a leadership priority
There's no better time to add low-carbon healthcare delivery to your list of leadership goals. Our team delivers the information, tools, and skills to help you to take action.
Highlights
Recognizing impact – celebrating certified hospitals
At Geneva University Hospital (HUG) – the first hospital in Europe to achieve JCI–GSC Healthcare Sustainability Certification – sustainability in healthcare is no longer a future ambition. It’s operational reality. Their journey proves that when leadership, staff, and data align, sustainability goals become measurable action.
Their advice to hospitals considering certification? Ensuring strong leadership and governance commitment, actively engaging and mobilizing staff across departments, and collecting accurate and meaningful data.
Get inspired to start your certification story
How are hospitals using the SAT to drive action?
On Earth Day 2026 (22 April), the first in our GSC Leader Talks series explored how hospitals can assess their sustainability maturity, prioritize action, and build strategies that are measurable, integrated, and transformative. Two hospital leaders shared their experience: Amina Mahmoud Ahmed from Fujairah Hospital in the UAE, and Andrés Alvarado from Clínica Bíblica in Costa Rica.
Find out more in this article
Leadership skills for environmentally resilient healthcare: A strong start to ACHE Congress 2026
On Sunday 1 March 2026, healthcare leaders from across the United States gathered in Houston, Texas, for a day‑long pre‑conference Boot Camp at the ACHE Congress focused on one urgent priority: building leadership capacity for environmentally resilient healthcare. The immersive programme explored the deep and growing connections between human health and environmental protection, and the unique responsibility 0and opportunity healthcare leaders have to drive change.
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Taiwan's digital health, innovation, and sustainability in the spotlight
At the Smart Medical & HealthTech Expo in Geneva in May, the GSC and the Taiwanese Ministry of Health and Welfare shared progress on a collaboration to address climate change as a leadership priority for the healthcare sector. Through executive masterclasses to strengthen capacity and the rollout of the Sustainability Accelerator Tool, we are working together to equip leaders in the healthcare sector with key information and tools to plan, assess, and address the necessary organizational changes
Our ongoing collaboration
GSC and IHHN: Partnering to transform healthcare in Pakistan
The Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) in Pakistan joined the IHF this year and began working with the Geneva Sustainability Centre (GSC). The IHHN has now rapidly accelerated progress on their sustainability goals. In February 2026, the GSC was invited to deliver an Executive Masterclass in Sustainable Healthcare in IHHN-Karachi to a highly motivated and engaged executive team.
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Friends of the GSC moment at Congress
The GSC was launched in 2022 to help hospital leaders globally on their sustainability journey. Three and a half years on, the GSC was thrilled that the world’s hospital leaders came to their hometown, Geneva, with sustainability as a key track of the World Hospital Congress. To make the most of this occasion, the Friends of the GSC moment was an opportunity for the GSC network to come together to celebrate the GSC, to network, and to champion progress for sustainability globally.
First hospitals around the world are awarded JCI–GSC Healthcare Sustainability Certification
Congratulations to the hospitals achieving Healthcare Sustainability Certification (HSC) in 2025. National University Hospital, Singapore, was the world-first recipient of certification in June, followed by Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland, in July. Hospitals in Kenya, Spain and India followed. Will your hospital be next?
Find out more about sustainability accreditation and certification
Sustainability standards published!
In 2023, the IHF’s Geneva Sustainability Centre and Joint Commission International (JCI) collaborated to develop environmentally sustainability standards for international hospitals (outside of the USA). These standards form the Global Health Impact chapter as part of JCI’s 8th edition of hospital accreditation standards. Raising the standard is an essential step in reducing the carbon footprint of hospitals, embedding sustainability in quality and safety processes.
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GSC Sustainability Accelerator Tool
Hospitals in every region, country and community are beginning their journeys to sustainability from different starting points. So we developed the GSC Sustainability Accelerator Tool and launched a teaser version during the 45th World Hospital Congress in Dubai. Find out more...
GSC Sustainability Accelerator Tool
Addressing climate change as an integral part of healthcare delivery
We join our voice with those recognizing the impact of the healthcare sector on the environment and human health. We equally recognize that good leadership is paramount to drive the organizational changes which will generate positive impact for the generations to come.
This statement illustrates the conviction of IHF Members that every hospital and healthcare organization has a role to play in its community in addressing the sustainability challenges. We also consider it as the starting point of our long-term engagement to take action on climate change.
Through our newly established Geneva Sustainability Centre, we are committed to responding to your needs and to equipping current and future hospital leaders with the required information, tools and skills.
News and insights
Look into our latest...
Building sustainability strategy: How hospitals are using the SAT to drive action
On Earth Day 2026 (22 April), the IHF’s Geneva Sustainability Centre (GSC) hosted the first in a webinar series showcasing leadership for sustainability in healthcare. The session explored how hospitals can assess their...
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