Healthcare Sustainability Certification

Co-developed by the IHF’s Geneva Sustainability Centre and Joint Commission International (JCI), HSC offers a first-of-its-kind international certification programme.

JCI–GSC Healthcare Sustainability Certification

Unlike other sustainability certification programmes, the joint JCI–GSC Healthcare Sustainability Certification programme (HSC) is the first of its kind globally to focus on the unique operational requirements of hospitals. It offers an advanced framework that expands on the Global Health Impact chapter of the 8th edition of JCI’s Accreditation Standards for Hospitals and includes the use of the GSC Sustainability Accelerator Tool (SAT). HSC requirements incorporate advanced metrics for carbon emissions, resource management, low carbon clinical care, leadership involvement, workforce engagement, health equity and climate resilience.

Why consider HSC?

  • It offers a concrete framework for reducing your hospital’s environmental impact
  • Lower carbon healthcare is ultimately good for patient outcomes and your hospital’s bottom line
  • It increases your reputation in the local community and on the global stage

Who should consider HSC?

  • Hospitals that have already implemented advanced sustainability measures and would like global recognition
  • Hospitals starting out on their sustainability journey that would like to structure their efforts around the HSC and SAT frameworks
  • JCI accredited hospitals that have already met the requirements of the 8th edition of accreditation standards (Global Health Impact chapter) are already on their way to HSC
  • Hospital systems that have developed, or want to develop, a systematic approach to sustainability across all of their hospitals
  • In short, every hospital should consider HSC!

The HSC programme is available to hospitals that meet the eligibility criteria. You will find here how to apply and more about this first-of-its-kind international certification. You can also watch the recording of a 30-minute webinar here which introduces the HSC programme. For more information about how the SAT will help you on your certification and sustainability journey, see here.

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 the full story

Apply today for the HSC programme

Contact our team to find out more about the certification and SAT.

Congratulations to 2025's certified hospitals

National University Hospital (Singapore)

National University Hospital (Singapore) became the first hospital in the world to receive international Healthcare Sustainability Certification in June 2025.

Read more about NUH's certification journey

Geneva University Hospital (HUG, Switzerland)

Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève (HUG) was the first hospital in the Europe region to receive international Healthcare Sustainability Certification.

Find our more about HUG's certification

M.P. Shah Hospital (Kenya)

The hospital’s journey began in 2019 with the planting of a single tree behind the CEO’s office, a symbolic act that sparked the Green365 initiative. Since then, the programme has driven transformative changes, embedding sustainability into daily operations. By monitoring water consumption, optimizing energy use, and enhancing waste management, M.P. Shah Hospital has significantly reduced its environmental footprint.

More about M.P. Shah Hospital's certification

Fundació Sanitària Mollet (Spain)

This certification recognizes the Foundation’s long-standing institutional commitment to sustainability and its continuous efforts to integrate environmental, social, and governance principles into healthcare delivery. Since the hospital opened its doors in July 2010, its governance model has consistently placed sustainability at the core of decision-making, ensuring that the necessary resources and structures were in place to make this commitment a reality.

Read more about FSM's certification journey

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai (India)

Congratulations to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, the first hospital in India and the fifth in the world to be awarded HSC. We commend their team’s commitment to excellence and to driving meaningful change – exemplifying the role that hospitals can play in delivery safe, quality care with both people and planet in mind.

More about Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital's achievement

We can support your journey

Contact us for more information about certification, and to find out more about how the Geneva Sustainability Centre can help your organization prepare for HSC.

FAQ about accreditation and certification

Do you have more questions?

Looking for global sustainability standards?

The HSC requirements offer an advanced framework that expands on the Global Health Impact chapter of the 8th edition of JCI’s Accreditation Standards for Hospitals, which JCI collaborated with the GSC to produce.