Sustainability in radiology: position paper and call to action from ACR, AOSR, ASR, CAR, CIR, ESR, ESRNM, ISR, IS3R, RANZCR, and RSNA
Authors: Rockall Andrea G. , Allen Bibb , Brown Maura J. , El-Diasty Tarek , Fletcher Jan , Gerson Rachel F. , Goergen Stacy , Marrero González Amanda P. , Grist Thomas M. , Hanneman Kate , Hess Christopher P. , Ho Evelyn Lai Ming , Salama Dina H. , Schoen Julia , Sheard Sarah 
Published: February 2025

The urgency for climate action is recognized by international government and healthcare organizations, including the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO). Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution negatively impact all life on earth. All populations are impacted but not equally; the most vulnerable are at the highest risk, an inequity further exacerbated by differences in access to healthcare globally.

The delivery of healthcare exacerbates the planetary health crisis through greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to combustion of fossil fuels for medical equipment production and operation, creation of medical and non-medical waste, and contamination of water supplies. As representatives of radiology societies from across the globe who work closely with industry, and both governmental and non-governmental leaders in multiple capacities, we advocate together for urgent, impactful, and measurable changes to the way we deliver care by further engaging our members, policymakers, industry partners, and our patients. Simultaneous challenges, including global health disparities, resource allocation, and access to care, must inform these efforts.

Climate literacy should be increasingly added to radiology training programs. More research is required to understand and measure the environmental impact of radiological services and inform mitigation, adaptation and monitoring efforts. Deeper collaboration with industry partners is necessary to support innovations in the supply chain, energy utilization, and circular economy. Many solutions have been proposed and are already available, but we must understand and address barriers to the implementation of current and future sustainable innovations. Finally, there is a compelling need to partner with patients, to ensure that trust in the excellence of clinical care is maintained during the transition to sustainable radiology.

By fostering a culture of global cooperation and rapid sharing of solutions amongst the broader imaging community, we can transform radiological practice to mitigate its environmental impact, adapt and develop resilience to current and future climate and environmental threats, and simultaneously improve access to care.

Key Points

Question

What actions can professional societies take to improve the environmental sustainability of radiology?

Findings

Better understanding of resource usage in radiology is needed; action is required to address regional and global disparities in access to care which stand to be exacerbated by climate change.

Clinical relevance

Radiological societies need to advocate for urgent, impactful, and measurable changes to mitigate the environmental impact of radiological practice. Research and education, as well as adaptation and resilience to current and future climate and environmental threats, must be prioritized while simultaneously improving access to care.

Graphical Abstract