The ISPAD Special Interest Group (SIG) on Sustainability in Diabetes Care aims to advance understanding, awareness, research, and advocacy related to the environmental impact of diabetes management and healthcare delivery. As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise globally, so too does the use of diabetes technologies, consumables, medications, packaging, and healthcare resources. While these advances have transformed outcomes for people living with diabetes, they also contribute to healthcare-related waste, carbon emissions, and environmental burden.

This SIG will bring together clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, people living with diabetes, industry partners, and policy leaders who share a commitment to promoting environmentally sustainable diabetes care. The group will provide an international forum to identify challenges, share innovations, and develop practical strategies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining or improving the quality, safety, and accessibility of diabetes care.

The SIG will focus on key areas including:

  • Understanding the environmental footprint of diabetes care and diabetes technologies.
  • Reducing waste associated with diabetes devices, medications, packaging, and consumables.
  • Promoting sustainable procurement, manufacturing, and disposal practices.
  • Supporting research into environmentally sustainable models of diabetes care.
  • Exploring opportunities for circular economy approaches, recycling programs, and device re-use where appropriate and safe.
  • Identifying ways to reduce carbon emissions across diabetes services and healthcare systems.
  • Encouraging environmentally responsible innovation in diabetes technology and therapeutics.
  • Developing educational resources for healthcare professionals, people with diabetes, and policymakers.
  • Advocating for sustainability as a core consideration in diabetes research, clinical practice, and health policy.

The SIG will foster international collaboration and multidisciplinary partnerships to generate evidence, share best practices, and influence future policy directions. Through research, education, advocacy, and knowledge exchange, the group seeks to ensure that advances in diabetes care are delivered in ways that support both human health and planetary health.

Vision

A future in which high-quality diabetes care is delivered in a manner that is environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, and equitable for current and future generations.

Mission

To lead international collaboration, research, education, and advocacy that reduces the environmental impact of diabetes care while supporting optimal outcomes for children, adolescents, and young adults living with diabetes.

Potential Objectives

  1. Establish a global network of stakeholders interested in sustainability and diabetes.
  2. Facilitate collaborative research and knowledge generation in this emerging field.
  3. Develop practical guidance and position statements on sustainable diabetes care.
  4. Promote environmentally conscious innovation across diabetes technologies and healthcare systems.
  5. Support education and awareness initiatives within the ISPAD community.
  6. Advocate for environmental sustainability as a consideration within diabetes policy, practice, and research agendas.