295P Climate change impact and sustainability: A survey of Breast International Group (BIG) members

Healthcare contributes 4-5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and clinical trials contribute to this. In turn, climate change impacts health outcomes and can disrupt the delivery of cancer care. A survey of climate impacts and climate smart engagement by BIG headquarters (HQ) and member groups was conducted. The survey explored barriers to engagement in sustainability integration and opportunities for developing group-wide initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of clinical research. A 30-item online questionnaire was developed assessing climate change impacts, engagement in existing initiatives, obstacles to and facilitators for sustainability integration using binary and Likert scale questions with free text options. The questionnaire was circulated to BIG HQ and Member Groups, respondents stated whether answers related to their function as a coordinating centre(CC)/HQ or representative participating site. Where >1 response was received, the most comprehensive was chosen. Between Nov 2023 and Feb 2024, 15 responses were received from BIG CC/BIG HQ. Five groups reported trial-related disruption due to climate change in the last 5 years. Ten groups predict sustainability will feature in future funding applications and 12 support consideration of this. The majority of respondents had engagement with sustainability initiatives such as climate charters and champions, partnerships, remote monitoring, training, GHG emission calculation. However, several groups had no engagement in climate change initiatives from their host institution (6), member group (3), or in trial conduct (6). Challenges to the uptake of more sustainable research practice include: time pressure at leadership level (4), financial & resource constraints (4), training & staff attitudes (2) and trial complexity (1). Climate change has disrupted trial conduct for 1/3rd of BIG member groups globally. Variable degrees of sustainability practices exist among members. Guidance, training, networking and funding would increase the level of engagement, which is expected to be of greater prominence for funders in the future.