Joint Commission International launches healthcare sustainability certification for global organizations

Editor's Note

Joint Commission International (JCI) and the International Hospital Federation's Geneva Sustainability Centre (GSC) have introduced a new Healthcare Sustainability Certification (HSC) for healthcare organizations outside the U.S., according to a September 11 report from The Joint Commission.

The goal of the new initiative is to address the nearly 5.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions attributed to the healthcare sector in the 2022 Lancet Countdown report. Effective January 1, 2025, the certification is open to all institutions, regardless of JCI accreditation, and aims to support organizations advancing sustainable practices. The HSC provides a framework for healthcare leaders to prioritize sustainability and build governance structures for impactful results.

Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, president and CEO of The Joint Commission and Joint Commission International, emphasized that the certification encourages resilience in healthcare, particularly in responding to extreme weather events, while offering long-term benefits for planetary health.

US hospitals can apply for a similar certification that has been available since January 1, 2024.