Greenhouse gas emissions associated with anaesthetic gases in Australia, 2002–2022: a retrospective descriptive analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To assess changes in greenhouse gas emission rates associated with the use of anaesthetic gases (desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane) in Australian health care during 2002–2022, overall and by state or territory and hospital type. Study design: Retrospective descriptive analysis of IQVIA anaesthetic gases purchasing data. Setting: All Australian public and private hospitals, 1 January 2002 – 31 December 2022. Main outcome measures: Absolute carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions and CO2e emissions rate per 100 000 population by gas and year, overall and by state/territory and hospital type (public or private). Results: The overall emissions rate increased from 74 t CO2e p..