BMJ  2007;334:671-673 (31 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39140.623137.BE

Analysis

Towards sustainable clinical trials

Sustainable Trials Study Group

Correspondence to: I Roberts, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT crash@Lshtm.ac.uk

Currently, few researchers think about the carbon footprint of their trial. The Sustainable Trials Study Group reports that clinical trials are carbon intensive and suggests ways to make them more efficient

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Greenhouse gases are changing the global climate, with serious implications for health and ecosystems.1 2 All sectors of the economy, including the health sector, must act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.3 High income countries need to cut emissions by about 90% by 2030 to limit the global average increase in temperature to 2°C, and thus reduce the risk of the most serious consequences.4

The Sustainable Trials Study Group was convened by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine to find ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from clinical trials. This international health research institution has an extensive research programme on the links between environment and health. A sustainability group was established to reduce the institution's carbon footprint, and this study is a product of its work.


Clinical trials contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions
The main sources are energy use in research premises and air travel
Renewable energy sources and . . . [Full text of this article]



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