Climate Health and Scorecard Project Assessment

We were pleased to be one of the Colleges that chose to be part of the Climate and Health Scorecard Project assessment, which is an important framework with some tangible assessment areas upon which to focus.  

We have already made significant progress in a number of key sustainability areas not covered by the survey, such as our national work supporting the decommissioning of the anaesthetic gas desflurane which is one of healthcare’s major polluters.  

One hour of using desflurane has the equivalent environmental impact of driving a car up to 400km, or 250miles. Compare this with using the alternative sevoflurane for an hour, with its equivalent impact of 10km, or 6miles. 

If we can eradicate the use of desflurane, we will make a far greater national and international impact on sustainability than any other area. 

See this blog and statement we published aligned with COP26, as well as our patient information detailing the impact of anaesthetic gasses. 

Dr Helgi Johannsson 

Vice President Elect and appointed Lead for Sustainability