Summary / Key takeaways
Radiology contributes significantly to healthcare greenhouse gas emissions through the production, operation, and disposal of imaging equipment and supplies. MRI exams generate approximately twice the emissions of CT and far more than ultrasound, with energy use accounting for over half of imaging equipment’s lifetime emissions. Climate change is also increasing demand for imaging through worsening air quality, heat events, infectious diseases, and extreme weather. At the same time, radiology departments face growing risks from flooding, power outages, overheating, and workforce disruptions that can impair diagnostic services and increase costs.
Sustainable radiology requires education, engagement, and operational change. Key actions include optimizing imaging protocols, reducing scanner idle time, and adopting low-field MRI technologies, and powering down CT scanners during non-operational hours. Departments can also reduce emissions through sustainable commuting policies, circular procurement practices, equipment refurbishment, and waste reduction. Reducing low-value imaging through clinical decision support tools and evidence-based guidelines is another critical strategy.
Environmental sustainability must be recognized as a core component of healthcare quality. Radiologists, senior leaders, procurement teams, and industry partners all play a role in reducing emissions through renewable energy adoption, sustainable purchasing, circular supply chains, and system-wide implementation of appropriate imaging guidelines and decision-support tools.
Playbook: Environmental Sustainability in Radiology
Suggested Citation:
Brown MJ, Hanneman K, Machane S. Environmental Sustainability in Radiology. Version 1.0. [Internet]. CASCADES; 2025 [cited DATE]. Available from: https://cascadescanada.ca/.
