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Air pollution

Reducing Carbon Footprint in Anesthesia Clinics through Educational Measures

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted at the Charite University Hospital and School of Medicine in Berlin, Germany, has shown that educational measures on sustainability aspects of volatile anesthetics can significantly reduce carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions in anesthesia clinics. The study observed a reduction of 90.3% in CO2e emissions from 2015 to 2023, from 1470 tons to 142 tons. This was achieved through the phasing out of desflurane and the increased use of propofol or sevoflurane and regional anesthesia techniques.

Key Takeaways:

  • The use of desflurane has the largest CO2e footprint among volatile anesthetics, with a significant reduction in its use resulting in substantial CO2e emission reductions.
  • The implementation of educational measures on sustainability aspects of volatile anesthetics can lead to a reduction in CO2e emissions and a decrease in purchasing costs.
  • The phasing out of desflurane and the increased use of propofol or sevoflurane and regional anesthesia techniques have contributed to the reduction in CO2e emissions.
  • The study found that internal top-down measures were the most effective in reducing CO2e emissions and total cost of anesthetics.
  • The total cost of anesthetics decreased from $594,238 in 2015 to $309,303 in 2023.
  • Educational measures for anesthesiologists about the climate-damaging effects of volatile anesthetics can significantly reduce CO2e emissions in anesthesia clinics.
  • This research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Statistics:

  • CO2e emissions of volatile anesthetics were reduced by 90.3% from 2015-2017 to 2023.
  • CO2e emissions in 2015-2017: 1470 tons
  • CO2e emissions in 2022: 191 tons
  • CO2e emissions in 2023: 142 tons
  • Total cost of anesthetics in 2015: $541,102
  • Total cost of anesthetics in 2023: $281,646
  • Annual reduction in total cost of anesthetics: $259,456

Sources:

  • The Power of Education To Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Volatile Anesthetics In Clinical Practice. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 2025;141(4):868-875.
  • NewsRx. Findings from Charite University Hospital and School of Medicine Has Provided New Data on Chemicals and Chemistry (The Power of Education To Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Volatile Anesthetics In Clinical Practice). Education Letter. October 22, 2025; p 150.

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