IHH Healthcare has completed the majority of its sustainability objectives set in 2022 and has outlined more ambitious targets through 2030 as it continues to expand its healthcare operations across multiple countries. The group achieved 14 out of 16 goals by the end of 2025, despite having no prior baseline data when it first established its targets.
Among the notable environmental advances, anaesthetists across IHH’s network reduced desflurane-related emissions by 44 percent since 2022, following a strategic shift away from the high-emission anaesthetic gas. Yasemin Tecmen Stubbe, IHH’s group chief sustainability officer, said the organization did not impose an outright ban on desflurane, as a small number of patients still required it, but management worked closely with clinicians to encourage reduction efforts based on evidence and examples set by the National Health Service in England.
On emissions control, the group succeeded in capping its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions at 2022 levels, even as it expanded operations. This effort included significant renewable energy adoption, such as rooftop solar panels at 13 of 18 Malaysian hospitals generating approximately 3,800 megawatt-hours annually, and wind power supplying 96 percent of electricity needs at its Chennai and Kengeri hospitals in India.
Other sustainability milestones include a drastic cut of over 90 percent in single-use plastics across non-clinical areas of facilities in Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, and Hong Kong, as well as implementing antimicrobial resistance protocols in all its hospitals. However, two goals were not fully achieved: achieving 90 percent billing cost estimate accuracy across all markets fell short because India had yet to implement the necessary tracking system, and the target of admitting every accident and emergency patient to a ward within an hour of a doctor’s instruction reached only 74.6 percent, though it represents an improvement from the 54.6 percent baseline.
IHH is integrating the latter target into a broader initiative to improve patient flow and bed management and has set a new commitment to flag critical inpatient lab results within 10 minutes of verification.
Looking toward 2030, the group plans to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42 percent from 2025 levels, requiring 70 percent of its suppliers (by spend) to report emissions and set their own targets. It also intends to increase non-hazardous waste recycling rates to 30 percent and reduce water consumption intensity by up to 10 percent. On workforce goals, the group aims to maintain gender parity in leadership roles and exceed global benchmarks in staff engagement.
IHH’s expansion includes the acquisition of an 80 percent stake in Bayindir Healthcare Group through its Turkish subsidiary Acibadem in August 2025, as well as incorporating Fortis Healthcare’s operations in India into its sustainability reporting framework. The current emissions reduction targets already apply to Fortis, with future adjustments expected once Bayindir is fully integrated.
Stubbe emphasized that sustainability at IHH is not merely symbolic; in 2026, climate-related targets will increase their weighting from 5 percent to 12.5 percent of the group’s non-financial key performance indicators, affecting employees at all levels rather than focusing solely on senior leadership. She underscored the importance of accountability in publicly committing to, and transparently reporting on, these objectives as key to driving continuous improvement.