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Climate change is the biggest health threat that humanity is currently facing. In addition to direct effects, such as heat stress kidney injury and disruption of healthcare services due to extreme weather events, reduced productivity due to climate change and associated mitigation efforts will divert scarce resources that could otherwise be invested in healthier communities. The only way to avert this is to reduce carbon emissions, the primary driver of global warming. Healthcare is responsible for an estimated 4% - 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with kidney care – especially provision of dialysis – contributing disproportionately. Haemodialysis in particular requires large amounts of energy, water, and produces substantial amounts of plastic waste. “Sustainable kidney care” aims to improve the environmental sustainability of kidney care through changing practices and utilizing available resources in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way.
Acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge confronting the kidney community, the International Society of Nephrology Emerging Leaders Program 2022 (ISN-ELP 2022) cohort aim to produce an online toolkit to assist clinicians and kidney care services by providing simple and easily accessible resources to reduce the environmental impact of their local practice.
This toolkit is being produced by the ISN-ELP 2022. We draw data and information through our concurrent projects: a literature review of sustainable kidney care articles and an international knowledge assessment and practice survey on “Climate Change, Kidney Care and Sustainability” involving about 800 respondents from across the world. We also draw inspiration from existing toolkits from various nephrology societies. The completed toolkit will be peer-reviewed by experts and important stakeholders from the Global Environmental Evolution in Nephrology and Kidney Care (Green-K) initiative before its launch expected in Spring 2024.
The toolkit will consist of several sections focusing on estimating one’s unit carbon footprint and waste produced, designing and implementing an action plan, and specific technical issues such as procurement, waste management and improvement in various dialysis modalities. In particular, special considerations on the differences between developing and developed economies and how this toolkit can be applied among them will be discussed. Finally, emphasis on advocacy and collaboration in forming a “Sustainable kidney care network” through the Green-K initiative will be highlighted in the toolkit. This toolkit will be made available online in the ISN website and as a downloadable PDF document through the ISN website.
With the help of this toolkit, centres worldwide can find inspiration and practical information to facilitate the transformation of their facilities into ones that champion sustainable kidney care. Notably, this resource is adaptable to centres in regions with diverse income levels and varying health priorities, ensuring the pursuit and attainment of sustainable care goals.