Sustainability in anaesthesia

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report states that we have less than 10 years to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid global warming beyond 1.5 degrees C. Healthcare indus-tries are major polluters and their impact on the environment is signifi-cant. Anaesthesia, in particular, has been identified as a specialty that has a large carbon footprint. The volatile anaesthetic agents desflurane and nitrous oxides are potent greenhouse gases and have the greatest environmental impact. Sevoflurane is a more sustainable volatile agent, whilst total intravenous anaesthesia and regional techniques may further reduce the carbon footprint associated with anaesthesia. Additional sus-tainable solutions include the use of scavenging systems, a reduction in single-use items and waste, and the conservation of energy when theatre suites are not in use. However further innovative solutions and research are required if we are to meet environmental targets.