Reducing Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Waste

Technical Case Study

Globally, anaesthetic gases are responsible for ∼2-3% of Healthcare’s carbon footprint.  The United Kingdom has steadfastly reduced its emissions associated with volatile hydrofluorocarbon agents through adjustments in clinical practice. By 2019/20 nitrous oxide usage remained unchanged and NHS Scotland’s emissions associated with nitrous oxide products accounted for over 88% of the total anaesthetic and analgesic gas footprint – or a total of 28,363 tonnes in carbon dioxide equivalents, comparable to 32,000 economy flights from New York to Paris.