Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) is a worldwide community of more than 2,000 members in over 80 countries, representing the interests of over 70,000 hospitals and health centres.
GGHH is the largest sustainable healthcare network in the world, focused on the interests and needs of healthcare sustainability practitioners. Our members are using innovation, ingenuity, and investment to transform the health sector and create a healthy future for people and the planet. The European GGHH network is coordinated by Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe.
By joining GGHH you will become part of a growing global sustainable healthcare movement, demonstrating your organisation’s commitment to sustainable development.
Exclusive member benefits
As a member, you will gain exclusive access to GGHH Connect, an innovative, online member platform serving as your gateway to:
- Hippocrates Data Center: A cutting edge resource that puts the power of data management, goal benchmarking, and progress tracking into your hands. Hippocrates is the first international platform of its kind designed for the health sector to measure actions towards reducing its environmental footprint.
- GGHH discussion forum: Connect with GGHH members around the world - post questions, share resources, or join conversations across 12 topic areas.
- Guidance documents and other resources: Written and reviewed by leading experts from around the world, these resources cover a wide range of sustainable healthcare topics (e.g. sustainable procurement or carbon management). They are a fantastic starting point for helping GGHH members to reduce their environmental footprint.
- Case studies: Search over 150 case studies from GGHH members around the world. Learn how projects were designed and implemented, challenges faced and lessons learned, and be inspired to implement your own initiatives.
- Webinars: Browse our collection of recorded webinars to learn about the latest sustainable healthcare trends, case studies, and projects, delivered by experts and GGHH members around the globe.
Other benefits of GGHH membership include:
- Access to the GGHH Europe listserv and member-only newsletter: Be the first to learn about the latest sustainable healthcare news and opportunities, including upcoming events, webinars and conferences; funding and project opportunities; and news from other GGHH members around Europe.
- Quarterly GGHH Europe member meetings: Join other GGHH members from the region to learn about a specific sustainable healthcare topic, hear from experts, and connect with other leaders in sustainable healthcare.
- Have your say in how HCWH Europe is run: Executive members of GGHH in Europe can attend our General Meetings and have full voting rights to elect new Board members and determine the strategic direction of the organisation. See below section on Executive Membership for more information and how to apply.
- Participate in pilot projects: Members are often invited to participate in sustainable healthcare pilot projects, receiving hands-on support from experts around specific issues.
- Become a climate leader: Commit to effective climate action while building collective impact across countries and across borders by joining the Health Care Climate Challenge and Race to Zero.
Eligibility and requirements
Membership is completely free - it is based on an organisational commitment to HCWH’s mission and goals and a desire to participate fully in helping to achieve them.
Membership is open to any organisation that delivers healthcare and social care services in Europe:
- Hospitals, health centres, and other healthcare facilities
- Health systems
- Government/Regional health service providers
If your organisation does not fall into one of these categories, or you are unsure, please contact us at europenetwork@hcwh.org.
Types of membership
Organisations joining GGHH in Europe are able to choose between two different levels of membership: Adherent membership and Executive membership.
Adherent members enjoy all the benefits of GGHH membership, with the exception of the right to vote at General Meetings. Adherent members can apply for Executive membership at any time.
Executive members are members who have demonstrated the capacity and desire for a greater level of strategic involvement with HCWH Europe’s governance and development. Most significantly, only Executive members have the right to vote at the HCWH Europe Annual General Meeting (AGM) held each Spring.
The AGM is the highest authority of HCWH Europe. Its role is to ensure that the Board of Directors performs its tasks properly in accordance with the goals of the organisation. All members are encouraged to take part in General Meetings, however as an Executive member, attendance is mandatory.
In addition to the right to vote at our General Meetings, Executive members enjoy all the other benefits of GGHH membership.
Expectations of Executive members
As industry leaders in healthcare sustainability, there is an expectation that Executive members will be more engaged with our work, participating where possible in the below activities:
- Exercise the right to vote at HCWH Europe General Meetings (mandatory requirement).
- Participate in workshops and other activities to support the HCWH Europe team and Board of Directors in developing our organisational strategy.
- Participate as expert speakers for HCWH Europe events to inspire and motivate newer members of the GGHH network.
- Become an ambassador for HCWH Europe’s work, and sustainable healthcare in general, within Europe and around the world.
Application process
The first step in applying for both Adherent and Executive membership is to fill out the online application form below. One of our team will then be in touch regarding next steps.
If you have any questions regarding membership, please don’t hesitate to reach out to europenetwork@hcwh.org.
How to become an Executive member
Any existing GGHH organisations wishing to become an Executive member simply needs to send an expression of interest to europenetwork@hcwh.org for consideration from the HCWH Europe Board of Directors.
Selection is based on the current level of member engagement, language and geographical location, and existing sustainability initiatives. This selection process aims to create the most diverse, and experienced group possible group, one that broadly represents the needs and challenges of all members.