Vienna, Austria – February 26, 2025 – The European Society of Radiology (ESR), in collaboration with ten leading 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 recognises 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,” said Professor Andrea Rockall, ECR 2025 Congress President. “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 prioritised
✔ 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
The position paper, simultaneously published in leading radiology journals, marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future for medical imaging. By advocating for environmentally conscious practices, the ESR and its partner societies are reinforcing their commitment to both planetary health and patient care.
This initiative has also been supported by the American College of Radiology (ACR), Asian Oceanian Society of Radiology (AOSR), African Society of Radiology (ASR), Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR), Colegio Interamericano de Radiología (CIR), Egyptian Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (ESRNM), International Society of Radiology (ISR), International Society for Strategic Studies in Radiology (IS3R), Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
The full position paper is available in European Radiology and other partner journals.
About the European Society of Radiology (ESR)
The European Society of Radiology (ESR) is one of the world’s largest and most influential radiology organisations, dedicated to advancing medical imaging for improved patient care. With more than 140,000 members worldwide, ESR promotes education, research, and innovation in radiology. The society organises the annual European Congress of Radiology (ECR), one of the world’s leading medical imaging meetings, bringing together professionals from across the globe.
About European Radiology
European Radiology is the flagship journal of the ESR, publishing relevant, impactful, and novel research that improves healthcare, and elucidates scientific innovations. It is a globally recognised platform for advancing radiology research and practice.