• S Koch and S Pecher.
• Klinik für Anästhesiologie mit Schwerpunkt operative Intensivmedizin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum und Campus Mitte, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland. susanne.koch@charite.de.
• Anaesthesist. 2020 Jul 1; 69 (7): 453-462.

BackgroundThe climate crisis is the most serious threat to global health in the twenty-first century. In western countries 5-10% of all greenhouse gas emissions originate from the healthcare sector and the main contributing factors are energy-intense departments (intensive care units, operating suits and prehospital emergency services).ObjectiveThe aim of this review is to provide background knowledge and practical ideas to achieve climate-neutral hospitals.Material And MethodsNarrative review with information on the topics of (I) volatile anesthetics as greenhouse gases, (II) energy supply in hospitals and (III) solid waste management.Results And Conclusion(I) Volatile anesthetics are highly potent greenhouse gases, especially desflurane has a major global warming potential. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol or regional anesthetic techniques have a much lower impact on the climate. (II) Using sustainable energy sources as well as initiating energy sparing techniques, such as light-emitting diodes (LED) and motion sensors, can reduce CO2 emissions. (III) Waste can be managed by the reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink and research concept. Doctors should actively contribute to reach the climate goals.

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