The Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) network made significant strides in 2024 by expanding its reach, deepening its impact and promoting sustainable healthcare across continents. Representing over 72,000 hospitals and health centres in 87 countries, GGHH empowers health systems to reduce environmental harm while improving operational efficiency. Through membership growth, case study dissemination, regional initiatives and a suite of practical tools, the network advances the shared goal of climate-smart healthcare worldwide.
Driving Sustainability Through Membership Growth
In 2024, GGHH welcomed 213 new members from 35 countries, culminating in a total of 2,000 members. These members include national ministries, rural clinics and private institutions, reflecting the network’s global diversity. This expansion not only strengthens the network’s influence but also encourages the exchange of innovative practices tailored to diverse healthcare contexts. Recognition from international bodies reinforced GGHH's role as a leader in the sector, with 12 members receiving International Hospital Federation Awards for sustainable healthcare leadership. The network also facilitated peer learning through more than 300 case studies, 26 of which were added in 2024, illustrating how institutions around the world are successfully implementing sustainability strategies.
Examples of these initiatives include Al-Ramad Hospital in Egypt, which reduced energy use by 38% and eliminated mercury-containing devices through digital transformation and waste management. SERGAS in Spain introduced electric ambulances, achieving an 80% cut in CO₂ emissions and a 97% reduction in fuel costs. In Australia, Barwon Health's emergency department slashed low-value testing, reducing pathology costs and emissions without compromising care. Meanwhile, Mederi Hospital Network in Colombia adopted an autonomous composting system, diverting over three tonnes of organic waste from landfills annually.
Global and Regional Momentum for Climate Action
Regional GGHH chapters supported by Healthcare Without Harm and affiliated partners delivered targeted programmes to drive sustainability. In Africa, workshops and symposia facilitated dialogue on climate resilience and infrastructure, engaging stakeholders across the continent. Latin America saw strong participation in initiatives such as “Less Footprint, More Health,” with growing interest in sustainable procurement and plastic reduction. In Brazil, advocacy efforts influenced national policy, while the Healthy Hospitals Seminar convened hundreds of participants both in-person and online.
North America demonstrated an increasing institutional commitment to climate resilience, with one-third of hospitals developing adaptation plans using Practice Greenhealth’s frameworks. The Asia-Pacific region was equally active, with 300 healthcare leaders from 27 countries attending the Green Hospitals Asian Conference and 86 hospitals enrolling in Indian platforms for environmental leadership. In Europe, CleanMed attracted 863 participants from 37 countries, while over 7,800 facilities engaged in initiatives facilitated by Healthcare Without Harm Europe. In Nepal, hospitals established waste management centres and trained staff in response to climate-induced disaster risks.
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These actions illustrate a broader trend: since 2021, the identification of climate change as a business risk has increased fivefold among health institutions. The number of hospitals setting formal climate goals nearly doubled over four years, reflecting a shift in leadership priorities towards sustainable healthcare delivery.
Tools, Resources and Shared Learning
GGHH expanded its digital platform, GGHH Connect, in 2024, adding over 1,000 new representatives from 422 institutions. This online hub supports collaboration through discussion forums, guidance documents and a data centre. A growing library of resources, including the Climate Impact Checkup course and guides on circularity and advocacy, further enabled members to translate knowledge into practice. By the end of 2024, 411 professionals had completed the online course, building capacity for low-carbon healthcare strategies.
New practical tools released throughout the year supported efforts in procurement, waste management and collaborative sustainability planning. These included reports such as “Teaming up for Sustainability” and the third edition of “Menos Huella, Más Salud,” which offered updated data on procurement practices in Latin America. Resources like “Using Your Voice to Drive Climate Action” equipped professionals with advocacy tools to influence policy and institutional priorities. Meanwhile, initiatives like the Climate Champions programme and the Race to Zero Challenge motivated action, with over 260,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions avoided across GGHH efforts.
The focus on shared learning and capacity building ensures that sustainability is not a siloed activity, but a systemic shift rooted in collaboration. The network's ability to unite diverse stakeholders behind common objectives fosters continuous improvement, helping members translate ambition into measurable environmental gains.
The Global Green and Healthy Hospitals network continues to redefine the role of healthcare in climate action by equipping institutions worldwide with the tools, partnerships and knowledge needed to drive sustainability. Its growth in membership, active case study sharing and regional engagement reflect a maturing movement that views environmental responsibility as integral to quality care. By fostering innovation, supporting policy dialogue and enabling peer learning, GGHH strengthens the health sector’s capacity to act on climate change while improving care delivery.
Source: Global Green and Healthy Hospitals
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