The carbon footprint of modern imaging

This review aims to highlight the often-overlooked environmental impact of medical imaging in urological practice, focusing on energy consumption, associated carbon emissions, and practical strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of imaging modalities.

Medical imaging accounts for a significant proportion of a hospital's total energy use, with MRI, CT, and PET-CT being the most energy-intensive modalities. A recent life cycle assessment found that energy usage accounted for over half of a radiology department's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Imaging systems such as fluoroscopy and ultrasound also contribute meaningfully, particularly when idle power consumption is overlooked. New data reveal that simple interventions, such as shutting down imaging devices during nonoperational hours and reducing unnecessary imaging, can cut nonoperational energy use by 20-70%.

Given the slow adoption of energy-efficient imaging systems due to long development cycles, immediate emission reductions must come from operational changes. Strategies such as optimizing scheduling, shortening protocols, reduction of low-value imaging and powering down unused equipment can significantly reduce carbon emissions and costs - without compromising diagnostic value. Collaboration between referring clinicians and radiologists is critical to driving this transition.