Global Opportunities in Healthcare Infrastructure & Sustainability

The International Federation of Healthcare Engineering continues to champion innovation, sustainability, and excellence across the international healthcare engineering sector through two significant 2026 initiatives now open for participation. From recognising world-leading healthcare facility design through the IFHE International Building Awards, to driving measurable carbon reduction outcomes via the Global Healthcare Carbon Challenge, these programs provide healthcare organisations with an opportunity to showcase leadership, share innovation, and contribute to the future of sustainable healthcare infrastructure on a global stage.

“Cut the Carbs” IFHE Global Healthcare Carbon Challenge Launched for 2026

The International Federation of Healthcare Engineering, with support from Mazzetti, has launched the 2026 Global Healthcare Carbon Challenge — an international initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across healthcare facilities worldwide.

The challenge encourages hospitals and healthcare facilities to track and reduce their operational carbon emissions, while showcasing sustainability leadership on a global stage.

International Recognition Opportunities

Facilities achieving significant reductions in GHG emissions will be eligible for recognition, including:

• “Best in Country” awards

• “Best in World” awards

Winners will be recognised on stage at the 2026 IFHE Annual Congress in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, and featured across IFHE media channels, including press releases, the IFHE Global Digest, and social media.

Why Participate?

In addition to the environmental benefits of reducing emissions, participating facilities will gain:

• International recognition and publicity

• Access to a free energy and GHG emissions tracking tool

• Benchmarking and reporting support

• Ongoing tools to assist long-term sustainability improvements

Who Can Enter?

All healthcare facilities are eligible to participate.

To qualify for recognition, facilities must demonstrate a 5% or greater reduction in GHG emissions, comparing:

• Baseline Year: 2023

• Performance Year: 2025

How Emissions Are Measured

The challenge focuses on Scope 1 and Scope 2 building emissions, including energy sources such as:

• Electricity

• Methane/gas

• Steam

• Chilled water

• Fuel oils

Standard carbon emission factors are applied based on facility location and energy source, with participants able to update factors where renewable energy or local data is available.

Data Security

All participant data is managed through a secure tracking platform powered by Mazzetti. The system is hosted within an ISO/IEC 27001-certified cloud environment with multiple layers of security and encryption protection.

Importantly, participant data is not shared outside the application.

How to Participate

Facilities that participated in the previous Global Healthcare Energy Challenge can continue using their existing data platform, while new participants can register one or multiple facilities through the challenge portal.

The initiative represents a valuable opportunity for healthcare organisations to demonstrate leadership in sustainability, energy management, and carbon reduction within the global healthcare sector.

More Information

2026 IFHE International Building Award

The International Federation of Healthcare Engineering is now accepting submissions for the 2026 IFHE International Building Award, recognising excellence in healthcare facility design, construction, and innovation across the globe.

Healthcare organisations, project teams, architects, engineers, and facility professionals are invited to submit recently completed healthcare projects — including both new builds and major renovations — that demonstrate outstanding achievement in functionality, sustainability, innovation, and human-centred care.

Key Dates

Submission Deadline:1 July 2026 – 12:00pm GMT

Eligibility

Projects must have been substantially completed between:

• 31 December 2024 and 31 January 2026

Judging Themes

Projects will be assessed across a range of themes including:

• Physical health and wellbeing

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Accessibility

• Independent living and privacy

• Functionality of everyday activities

• Contribution to urban context

• Environmental sustainability

• Design innovation and best practice

Submission Requirements

Entries should include:

• Project name, location, organisation, and IFHE member association affiliation

• Project team details

• Completion date

• Building type and size

• Number of patient beds

• Total project cost

• Primary submission contact details

• 10–20 project photographs

How to Submit

Submission materials should be emailed to:

Dan Fuochi

Executive Director, International Federation of Healthcare Engineering

Email: d.fuochi@ifhe.info

This is a valuable opportunity to showcase innovative healthcare infrastructure projects on an international stage and celebrate excellence across the healthcare engineering and facilities sector.