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By optimizing the resources needed to provide safe, quality care, healthcare organizations can effectively manage environmental impacts and improve patient outcomes. Healthcare organizations can create healthier environments for those nearest to them by reducing emissions, improving air quality, and decreasing waste disposal.

Our Why

Healthcare organizations across the country want to become more resilient by accelerating their sustainable practices, optimizing their resources, and reducing their emissions. To answer this call, The Joint Commission launched the Sustainable Healthcare Certification program for U.S. hospitals and critical access hospitals. Through the Sustainable Healthcare Certification, organizations have been able to strengthen their internal channels of engagement and overall sustainability governance structures. Sustainability becomes further integrated into decision making processes based on alignment with leadership. This has led to organizational efficiencies, operational cost savings, and enhancing resilience.
,,While there are compelling financial opportunities to address our carbon footprint right now, we know this is a matter of mission. It is a patient safety issue.,,

Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, MSHA, MACP, FACMI - President and CEO - The Joint Commission Enterprise

Why Sustainability in Healthcare Matters

Sustainable healthcare practices enable organizations to implement projects that effectively adapt to the impacts of environmental events and natural disasters, ensuring continuity of care and supporting recovery efforts within affected communities. Sustainable healthcare is essential for reducing health disparities and improving patient safety. If we support the health of our planet, we also contribute to the health of the communities that we serve.

Becoming More Resilient

Resilience-based patient safety practices are essential for maintaining patient care and safety during both routine operations and emergency responses. There is a mutual reinforcement between both resilience and decarbonization. Effective decarbonization strategies can enhance resilience. For example, implementing energy efficiency projects or transitioning to renewable energy sources not only reduces emissions but also decreases reliance on the energy grid, making a facility less vulnerable to things like price fluctuations and supply disruptions.

We’re In This Together

Listen to senior leaders from healthcare organizations explain why their organization is committed to environmental sustainability.
Senator Bill Frist.

Sen. Bill Frist

MD, Chair, The Nature Conservancy, former Senate Majority Leader, and former heart and lung transplant surgeon
Video: Hear from Sen. Frist
Don Berwick

Donald Berwick

MD, MPP, FRCP, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Video: Hear from Dr. Berwick
Dr. Frederick Cerise and Miranda Jolliff

Frederick P. Cerise

MD, MPH, President and Chief Executive Officer, Parkland Health

Miranda Jolliff

Director, Sustainability and Energy Conservation, Parkland Health
Video: Hear from Dr. Cerise and Miranda
Shelly Schlenker

Shelly Schlenker

MHA, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer, CommonSpirit Health
Video: Hear from Shelly
Ali Santore

Ali Santore

MPA, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Social Responsibility Officer, Providence
Video: Hear from Ali
Mike Abrams

Mike Abrams

President and Chief Executive Officer, Ohio Hospital Association
Video: Hear from Mike
Michelle Hood

Michelle Hood

FACHE, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, American Hospital Association
Video: Hear from Michelle
James Guliano

James Guliano

MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, FACHE, Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Clinical Officer, Ohio Hospital Association
Video: Hear from James
To help healthcare organizations with sustainability, we have developed two resources specifically aimed at reducing emissions, the Sustainable Healthcare Certification Resource Center and the Sustainable Healthcare Certification program.

Resource Center

Find easy-to-use, robust, and valuable key strategies, tools, literature, videos and links to help healthcare organizations get started on sustainability, as well as innovative solutions for those that have already taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint.

Get resources

Certification

Sustainable Healthcare Certification is available to U.S. hospitals, critical access hospitals, and health systems. The certification provides a framework to help organizations expand or continue their decarbonization efforts to receive public recognition for their commitment and achievements in contributing to sustainability.

Learn moreTalk with us