Sustainable healthcare and medical laboratories: The impact of global collaborations between frameworks and initiatives

Abstract

Climate change is a pressing global challenge that requires urgent action. The Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda of United Nations (UN) set clear global targets for emission reduction and sustainability to limit warming to 1.5 °C. Partnerships between standardization organizations are crucial in accelerating climate action. The Geneva Sustainability Centre (GSC) is at the forefront of healthcare sustainability, launching the Sustainability Accelerator Tool (SAT) in 2023 to help hospitals assess their environmental impact. In partnership with GSC, Joint Commission International (JCI) has integrated sustainability into its accreditation standards and will introduce the JCI-GSC Healthcare Sustainability Certification in 2025, built on the SAT. To accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ISO and the UN formed a strategic partnership in 2023 to create the first global SDG standard. ISO has published the IWA 42:2022 Net Zero Guidelines and is developing its first global Standard on Net Zero, set for release in 2025. Additionally, ISO introduced the Climate Change Amendments, embedding climate considerations into over 30 existing management system standards, including ISO 9001. With these amendments now shaping all newly developed or revised standards, future updates to ISO 15189 will likely incorporate sustainability requirements, especially as ISO 9001 is an essential part of ISO 15189. Reducing operational emissions from healthcare and medical laboratories alone will not achieve net zero. A sector-wide approach is essential, tackling supply chain emissions from energy, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. Combating climate change requires a coordinated, cross-sector effort, making international collaboration indispensable. This review highlights key global frameworks, standards, guidelines, and initiatives that have evolved through collaboration to help healthcare organizations, including medical laboratories, to advance sustainability and climate resilience.