Sustainable Nephrology Task Force

I. Objectives

The main purpose of the Sustainable Nephrology Task Force is to create awareness on the topic of environment/climate change and health/disease especially the environmental sustainability related to the renal diseases.

The Task Force has been created for a three-years term to achieve specific tasks.  The Council will review the achievements of the Task Force on a regular basis in any case at least once a year.  Finally, the Council can decide to extend the duration of the Task Force if needed, however, if this happens, a rotation of the Task Force members is advisable.

II. Tasks

1. The Sustainable Nephrology Task Force must produce at least one manuscript per year to be published in one of the official ERA Journals addressing the current and future (20-50 years horizon) environmental impact of caring for advanced kidney disease and updating it annually. A non-exhaustive list of topics can be found here:
   • the evolving nature of CKD care vs the carbon footprint and the use of natural resources as water and energy
   • the number of patients on KRT in Europe and future projections as well as innovative solutions to achieving carbon neutrality for KRT in Europe by the next decade
   • the environmental impact of diverse sources of energy, plastics, means of transports, waste generation/handling
   • Proposing specific or concrete actions towards promoting an environmental sustainability in the field of nephrology

Each manuscript should be accompanied by a one-page infographic to be used to promote awareness among key European stakeholders and the press.

In addition, the Task Force should produce consensus statements, make scientific presentations/reports aiming to promote sustainable health and deliver sustainable health care.

2. Generating a platform within ERA:

• for initiating a dialogue and foster interaction among different stakeholders related to the subject of environment and health/disease (i.e. industry, policy makers, etc.)
• for defining research questions and educational tools/programmes on the effects of climate change in the nephrology field
• for achieving carbon neutrality in all ERA activities especially the annual congress within the next 5 years
• Influencing policy by expanding kidney health advocacy beyond the healthcare sector and widening the scope by evaluating also the environmental impact of kidney replacement therapy
• Exploring the view that funding of/investment on kidney health will not only offset the health consequences of kidney disease but also potentially have a beneficial impact on the planet
• Evaluating the cost effectiveness of interventions calculated considering both monetary costs of providing healthcare and improving health as well as the benefits regarding environmental costs of kidney replacement therapy
• Review the company sustainability programme of ERA’s industry partners
• Collaborate with National and International Societies (EDTNA/ERCA, EFKP, etc.) to achieve these aims

III. Task Force members, nominations, and terms

1. The Task Force should have up to 7 members: a Chair, an Ex-Officio Member and 5 Ordinary Board members.
2. The Ex-Officio Member must be a current Council member who will represent the Task Force within the Council for the three-years of duration of the Task Force.
3. All the members of the Sustainable Nephrology Task Force, the Chair and the Ordinary Members, will only have a term of 3 years.
4. All Board members should be ERA Full members.
5. The Chair and the Ordinary Board Members, should be persons with a proven interest or knowledge in the topic, motivated and dedicated to environmental issues, or be otherwise useful to the Task Force.
6. Eligible candidates for the position of Chair as well as the position as Ordinary Board Members should use specific candidacy application templates (Chair Application Template) and/or Ordinary Board Member Application Template).
7. The Chair will be selected by the Council among the eligible candidates.
8. The Ordinary Board Members are nominated by the Board and must be approved by the Council before their term can start.
9. Any member can end their position within the Board by voluntary resignation, by exclusion due to serious and well-founded reasons, or by not attending two Board meetings in a year without a valid reason.
10. All the members of the Task Force should actively support the goals and thus the tasks. The Council will be supporting and overseeing the development of the results on a yearly basis. If after a year the Task Force is unable to fulfil the main tasks (to publish a manuscript) the Council will be able to substitute Task Force members as needed.
11. During elections/voting held within the Task Force, in case of an equal number of votes, the Chair has the casting vote.
12. A diploma will be given to all Task Force Members ending their term. For more information, one should refer to the appropriate section in the “General Rules for ERA Committees”;
13. The Sustainable Nephrology Task Force is supported in its activities by the ERA HQ.

IV. Task Force Board meetings

1. As mentioned above, the Ex-Officio Member will represent the Sustainable Nephrology Task Force within the Council, however, the Chair of the Sustainable Nephrology Task Force Board can be invited when deemed necessary to attend Council Meetings.
2. The Sustainable Nephrology Task Force Board Members should meet regularly to pursue its tasks/goals, possibly via teleconference, however, and only if needed, one face-to-face meeting each year is possible.
3. For the rules regarding the reimbursement policy for the Sustainable Nephrology Task Force Board Members who participate in face-to-face meetings one must refer to the “General Rules for ERA Committees”.
4. All ERA Sustainable Nephrology Task Force publications and initiatives must clearly mention the fact that the Task Force is an official body of ERA and must comply with what is written with regard to this matter in the “General Rules for ERA Committees”. The sentence approved by Council related to this matter is: “This article (to be adapted accordingly) was written by (to be adapted accordingly) on behalf of the ERA Sustainable Nephrology Task Force which is an official body of the ERA (European Renal Association).

Last update: February 2023