A new position paper calls for sustainability in radiology, emphasizing equipment efficiency, waste reduction, and equitable access to care.

The European Society of Radiology (ESR), in collaboration with 10 international radiology societies, has released a position paper and call to action on sustainability in radiology. 

The paper highlights the urgent need to integrate environmentally sustainable practices into radiology while ensuring global access to care. The paper recognizes that radiology plays a crucial role in healthcare but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and medical waste. It calls for collaborative efforts across the medical imaging community to drive impactful change, particularly in research, education, and industry innovation. 

“The time for action is now,” says professor Andrea Rockall, ECR 2025 Congress president, in a release. “Radiology is at the forefront of medical innovation, and we must lead the way in developing sustainable imaging solutions that balance patient care with environmental responsibility. This position paper serves as a roadmap for the global radiology community to implement meaningful, measurable change.” 

Key recommendations from the paper: 

  • Climate literacy should be integrated into radiology education and training 
  • Research on the environmental impact of imaging technologies must be prioritized
  • Sustainable practices should be adopted in radiology departments worldwide 
  • Stronger industry partnerships are needed to improve equipment efficiency and reduce waste 
  • Equitable access to radiology services must be ensured, especially in low-resource settings 

This initiative has also been supported by the American College of Radiology, Asian Oceanian Society of Radiology, African Society of Radiology, Canadian Association of Radiologists, Colegio Interamericano de Radiología, Egyptian Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, International Society of Radiology, International Society for Strategic Studies in Radiology, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, and Radiological Society of North America. 

Summary:

The European Society of Radiology (ESR), in collaboration with 10 international radiology societies, has released a position paper urging the integration of sustainable practices into radiology. The paper highlights the environmental impact of medical imaging, including greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption, and calls for industry-wide efforts to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure equitable access to care. Key recommendations include integrating climate literacy into radiology education, prioritizing research on imaging’s environmental impact, adopting sustainable practices in radiology departments, and fostering stronger industry partnerships.

Key Takeaways:

  • Radiology’s Environmental Impact Addressed – The position paper highlights radiology’s role in emissions, resource consumption, and medical waste, calling for sustainable solutions.
  • Education and Research Are Priorities – Experts emphasize the need for climate literacy in radiology training and increased research on the environmental impact of imaging technologies.
  • Industry Collaboration is Essential – Stronger partnerships with manufacturers and policymakers are needed to improve equipment efficiency, reduce waste, and expand access to imaging worldwide.

ID 24836859 © imagesupply | Dreamstime.com