Haemodialysis (HD) contributes disproportionately to this due to its resource intensive nature. The Yorkshire and Humber Kidney Network (YHKN), in partnership with Kidney Quality Improvement Partnership (KQIP) launched Trying to Reduce UnNecessary Carbon in Haemodialysis (TRUNC-HD); a regional quality improvement (QI) initiative to reduce the environmental impact of HD, building on established renal sustainability programmes within the region.

A sustainability fellow, Dr Stephanie Coo and Y&H KQIP QI manager, Leeanne Lockley engaged and collaborated with stakeholders across participating dialysis services. Local teams attended four face-to-face workshops using modified sustainability-focused (susQI) tools to design and implement interventions. Regional meetings, held thrice annually, facilitated progress sharing and collaboration. Baseline and progress data were gathered to assess environmental and financial impacts. The greenhouse gas (GHG) savings was quantified in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and calculated using hybrid carbon foot printing methodology. Data sources to calculate the GHG savings including direct measurements where available, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs 2024 greenhouse gas conversion factors, published carbon footprint estimates of medical equipment and expert opinion.

TRUNC-HD initiative demonstrates the impact of a regional, collaborative approach to addressing climate change, delivering environmental and financial savings, professional development, and service improvements. Scaling up current interventions regionally could achieve annual savings of approximately 120 tonnes of CO2e and nearly £200,000 per year.