Health Care Without Harm
Health Care Without Harm seeks to transform health care worldwide so that it reduces its environmental impact, becomes a community anchor for sustainability, and is a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. The organization's vision is for health care to mobilize its ethical, economic, and political influence to create an ecologically sustainable, equitable, and healthy world.
Theory of Change
Inputs
Global team of experts in health, environment, and sustainability
Extensive partnerships with health systems, governments, and NGOs
Financial resources and grant funding
Strategic educational and advocacy materials
Activities
Program implementation in climate, procurement, chemicals, waste, food, pharmaceuticals, and energy
Capacity-building and technical workshops
Global and local policy advocacy
Knowledge exchange through network platforms
Outputs
Practical toolkits, best-practices, and guidelines disseminated
Global network of 2,000+ member organizations
Regional and thematic partnerships created
Hundreds of resources published and shared
Outcomes
Transformation of healthcare practices to be more sustainable and climate-resilient
Reduction in health care sector's environmental footprint globally
Enhanced public and planetary health
Leadership and mobilization of health sector in climate action
Programs
1. Climate Program
Health Care Without Harm empowers the global health sector to reduce its emissions, build climate-smart, resilient hospitals and communities, and leverage its influence to advance the transition to a more sustainable, equitable future. It addresses climate threats and solutions across Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, U.S. & Canada, and at a global level.
Expert staff in climate, health, and sustainability
Partnerships with health systems and climate organizations
Funding for regional and global initiatives
Educational and advocacy materials
Capacity development for climate-smart health care
Technical guidance on emissions reduction
Regional and global advocacy
Network-building for collective action
Climate action strategies tailored to each region
Guidance and resources published
Workshops and educational tools delivered
Policy changes advocated and adopted
Reduced emissions from health care sectors
More climate-resilient health systems and communities
Increased sectoral commitment to climate leadership
Shift toward just, low-carbon health care economies
2. Procurement Program
The procurement program leverages health care’s purchasing power to reduce environmental and social impacts by shifting to sustainable procurement practices, improving the supply chain, reducing toxic chemical use, and eliminating unnecessary waste.
Sustainable procurement policy experts
Collaboration with health care providers and suppliers
Innovative market research and tools
Financial resources for program development
Training and guidance for sustainable purchasing
Development and dissemination of procurement best practices
Market engagement for sustainable products and services
Sustainable procurement guidance and tools
Partnerships with suppliers for sustainable goods
Best practices case studies shared
Increased adoption of sustainable purchasing in health care
Reduction in environmental impact from supply chains
Greater market availability of sustainable alternatives
3. Waste Program
The waste program supports health care organizations to reduce, segregate, and recycle waste through circular economy models and best practice guidance, tackling environmental pollution and protecting health.
Waste management and sustainability expertise
Collaboration with local and national regulators
Investment in circular economy initiatives
On-the-ground guidance for waste reduction
Workshops and capacity-building for staff
Promotion of recycling and segregation strategies
Waste management toolkits and resources
Reduction strategies implemented in hospitals
Case studies and best practices shared
Reduced health care waste volumes
Lowered pollution and contamination risks
Improved environmental standards in health care
4. Pharmaceuticals Program
Works globally and locally to reduce the harmful effects of pharmaceutical production, use, and disposal. Focus areas include reducing inappropriate prescribing, promoting safe disposal, and influencing supply chain reforms to lessen ecological burdens.
Cross-sector partnerships (health, pharma, government)
Access to scientific research on pharmaceuticals and ecosystems
Educational and advocacy resources
Awareness campaigns on pharmaceutical pollution
Training for better pharmaceutical management
Policy advocacy for safe disposal and reduced over-prescription
Guidelines for proper pharmaceuticals disposal
Educational campaigns for professionals and communities
Collaboration agreements with industry bodies
Reduced pharmaceutical waste in the environment
Improved community awareness and behavioral change
Mitigation of antimicrobial resistance and ecological impacts
Other Information
Core Values
Environmental health and justice: Promoting practices that protect people and the planet.
Collaboration and partnership: Building alliances across sectors and regions for shared impact.
Innovation: Developing and sharing practical solutions for complex health and sustainability challenges.
Ethical leadership: Guiding the health sector to ethical action on climate, health, and equity.
Equity and inclusiveness: Ensuring solutions improve health for all, especially the most vulnerable.
Transparency and evidence-based advocacy: Using data, evidence, and open information for change.
Scale
2,000+ members in the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals network, representing 70,000+ hospitals and health centers in 86 countries.
Regional teams active in Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and U.S. & Canada, plus a global secretariat.
Practice Greenhealth supports over 1,700 hospitals and health systems in the United States.
Strategic partners in Australia, Brazil, China, India, Nepal, and South Africa.
Affected Users
Hospitals and health systems
Medical professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists)
Patients and local communities
Health sector procurement and facilities teams
Regulators and policy makers
Geographical Areas
Global
Europe
United States & Canada
Latin America
Southeast Asia
Australia
Brazil
China
India
Nepal
South Africa
Contact Info
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