Siemens Healthineers, ESR Join Forces to Promote Sustainability in Radiology

At this year’s European Congress of Radiology (ECR), Siemens Healthineers and the European Society of Radiology (ESR) are joining forces to promote sustainability in radiology, underlining their shared mission to make medical imaging more resource-efficient, accessible, and environmentally responsible. As the healthcare sector strives to balance the challenges of reducing its 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions while meeting rising demand for healthcare, this collaboration highlights the critical role radiology plays in shaping a healthier future for both people and the planet.

Leading the way on championing sustainability in radiology, ECR’s key theme “Planet Radiology” challenges the radiology community to examine how the medical radiology field can adopt practices, technology, and mindsets that support planetary health while improving healthcare delivery and access. 

Both partners emphasize that sustainability in healthcare extends beyond reducing environmental impact. “When we talk about creating a sustainable future in healthcare, we also have to pay close attention to ensuring equitable access to quality care, optimizing resources to prevent waste, and investing in technologies that improve efficiency. For example, digital imaging solutions help reduce unnecessary repeat scans, while AI-driven diagnostics enhance accuracy, minimizing both patient burden and resource consumption. A truly sustainable healthcare system prioritizes long-term patient outcomes, operational resilience, and environmental responsibility in equal measure,” said Andrea Rockall, ESR president. 

André Hartung, head of Diagnostic Imaging at Siemens Healthineers, said, “The responsible and sustainable use of all available resources – including materials, time, or workforce capacity – is crucial. Remote scanning, for example, allows radiologists to assess medical images without requiring on-site presence, reducing travel emissions and saving costs as well as valuable time. Also, innovations like our Dry Cool technology, which minimizes helium use in MRI systems and ensures functionality during short-term power outages enable critical diagnostic operations to continue uninterrupted. At the same time, these advancements expand access to healthcare in underserved regions.” 

Expanding access to healthcare is the cornerstone of the sustainability strategy of Siemens Healthineers. In line with the company's purpose – pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare for everyone, everywhere, sustainably – the company advances technology and harnesses artificial intelligence to make innovations more accessible worldwide, with a special focus on remote and underserved communities. With its innovations, Siemens Healthineers addresses the four key levers to support healthcare providers in reaching their goals: resource efficiency, workforce productivity, patient and disease impact, and effective fleet management. For example, the Dry Cool technology in MRI systems requires only 0.7 liters of liquid helium –– significantly reducing dependence on critical supply chains and scarce resources, while cutting costs. Energy-saving features can reduce consumption by up to 30% during off-peak hours, and AI-supported image reconstruction can reduce scan times by up to 50% while doubling image quality. Prioritizing lifecycle sustainability with products designed to be recyclable, upgradable, and ready to be refurbished to an as-good-as-new condition makes it possible to save on emissions, material and costs alike. One single upgrade of an MRI system to the very latest generation can reduce up to 71% of CO2e emissions, resulting in 33,400 kg CO2e saved. A refurbished CT can save up to 86% of the materials’ CO2e emissions in comparison to a new system, which corresponds to 24 tons of emissions. A factor that should not be underestimated is that both upgrades and refurbished systems provide healthcare providers with state-of-the-art equipment while requiring a lower investment. AI solutions as well as streamlined workflows play pivotal roles in reducing administrative burdens, operating more effectively and automating repetitive tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on patient care. Equally important for achieving broader, more efficient, and higher-quality patient care is supporting a qualified and highly skilled workforce through continuous education and training.