Environmental sustainability in intensive care: the path forward. An ESICM Green Paper

Jan J De Waele, Nicole Hunfeld, Heather Baid, Ricard Ferrer, Katerina Iliopoulou, Ana-Maria Ioan, Marc Leone, Marlies Ostermann, Gaetano Scaramuzzo, Maria Theodorakopoulou, Hugo Touw, Giuseppe Citerio, Lennie P. G. Derde, Katia Donadello, Nicole P. Juffermans, Laura Galarza, Giacomo Grasselli, Salvatore Maurizio Maggiore, Ignacio Martin-Loeches, Joel AlexandreMaurizio Cecconi, Elie Azoulay

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose
The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) Green Paper aims to address the challenge of environmental sustainability in intensive care and proposes actionable strategies for integrating sustainability into intensive care unit (ICU) stakeholder actions.

Methods
The ESICM Executive Committee appointed a task force of topic experts and ESICM committee representatives to develop the ESICM Green Paper. The task force convened biweekly from January to June 2024, identifying key domains for environmental sustainability and prioritizing actions. Drafts were iteratively refined and approved by the ESICM Executive Committee.

Results
Climate change will impact activities in intensive care in many ways, but also the impact of ICU activities on the environment is considerable; drivers for this include extensive resource use and waste generation in ICUs from energy consumption, use of disposable items, and advanced therapies for critically ill patients. The ESICM Green Paper outlines a structured approach for ICUs to reduce their environmental impact, emphasizing energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement. Furthermore, it endorses the need for awareness and education among healthcare professionals, integration of sustainability into research, and sustainable policies within scientific societies.

Conclusions
The ESICM Green Paper reviewed the relevance of climate change to intensive care and provided suggestions for clinical practice, research, education, and ESICM organizational domains. It underscores that reducing intensive care's ecological footprint can coexist with high-quality patient care. Promoting a resilient, responsible healthcare system is a joint responsibility of all ICU stakeholders.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1729-1739
Number of pages11
JournalIntensive care medicine
Volume50
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Oct 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.

Keywords

  • intensive & critical care
  • Envionmental sustainability
  • Carbon footprint

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