As we step into a new year, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the many highlights that have come from the GGHH network over the past 12 months. Members around the world continue to raise their ambition and innovate creative solutions to achieve them. We are inspired for 2024 and moving forward with the network on our journey to establish low-carbon, sustainable, and resilient health care worldwide.
GGHH Members: worldwide expansion
Our community experienced remarkable growth in 2023, welcoming over 280 new members representing the interests of more than 1,600 hospitals and health centers. The network also expanded to five new countries: El Salvador, Slovakia, Romania, Estonia, and Japan. GGHH now boasts more than 1,900 members representing the interests of over 70,000 hospitals and health centers across 86 countries. This is fantastic to see and a barometer that indicates the movement of sustainable, climate-smart health care into the mainstream in every part of the world.
New tools and resources
In 2023, we received over 30 case studies from GGHH members showcasing successful sustainability projects and programs implemented at health care facilities around the globe. Access our case study library on GGHH Connect to explore and be inspired by the innovation and success documented in hundreds of studies.
Another significant milestone from last year was the launch of our online course and training program for the Climate Impact Checkup, our groundbreaking tool designed for healthcare institutions worldwide to calculate their climate footprint. The course has attracted significant interest, with over 200 enrollments in less than three months. Accompanied by training events in Nepal, Spain, and Colombia, this initiative reflects our commitment to equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to take meaningful action to address climate change.
Regional reports
In 2023, our regional offices and strategic partners published a variety of reports to spotlight the success and strength of the movement in various parts of the world.
- Latin America: “Hospitales que curan el planeta”
- South East Asia: Green Hospitals, Healthy Communities: Lessons on Sustainable Healthcare from Southeast Asia
- Climate and Health Alliance, our strategic partner and coordinator of the GGHH Pacific region: Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Pacific Region Annual Report 2021-22
Healthcare Climate Challenge: a growing force
In 2023, the Health Care Climate Challenge welcomed 35 new participants and expanded its reach to four new countries. Participants are creating and investing in innovative strategies to mitigate their climate footprint, adapt to be resilient to a changing climate and use their voice to advocate for policies to protect people and the planet. Remarkably, 85% of participants have reported establishing policies committing to action on mitigation and resilience.
The 2023 cohort of the Health Care Climate Challenge comprised over 200 institutions from 18 countries. These institutions are actively reporting their progress and achievements and demonstrating their leadership in taking climate action. This past year, institutions from all over the world were recognized for their accomplishments in mitigation, resilience and leadership. Notably, seven distinguished members were honored with the first-ever elite Climate Champion award acknowledging their outstanding contributions to global climate action.
Race To Zero: A global movement
The momentum behind the health care sector in Race To Zero continues to inspire. In 2023, we celebrated the commitment of 12 new members who pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, the Race to Zero health care cohort expanded into five new countries: Indonesia, Poland, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Zambia. With brand new resources available for Race to Zero members, institutions from around the globe have increased target ambition, reported their amazing progress in decarbonization, and developed action plans to reach net zero before 2050.
Climate Learning Initiative
In collaboration with partners worldwide, Health Care Without Harm brought together representatives from 98 healthcare organizations across 20 countries to discuss strategies and challenges to achieve net zero health care. Through this initiative, Health Care Without Harm launched a new Guidance for health care climate action. Developed in collaboration with and for the global health care community, this guide highlights best practices and approaches to be successful in this field.