Assessing Green Initiatives in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Effects on Carbon Emissions and Global Warming Potential

Aims Endoscopy procedures, vital for diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal disorders, also contribute to carbon emissions. The energy-intensive nature of sterilizing endoscopes, coupled with the use of single-use plastics and anesthetic agents, adds to their environmental impact. Minimizing this footprint includes optimizing energy use, adopting reusable tools, and exploring eco-friendly technologies. Understanding and mitigating these emissions is crucial for sustainable healthcare practices.

Methods Our study assessed the carbon footprint and Global Warming Potential (GWP) of endoscopic procedures in 2744 patients across two phases. Initially, we analyzed carbon output from consumables, energy, and transport from June to December 2023. Staff received training on reducing environmental impact. In the subsequent phase, from January to June 2024, we collected carbon data and GWP metrics. The Bilan Carbone protocol and the U.S. Energy Information Administration aided in calculating annual footprints. Paired t-tests analyzed differences pre- and post-intervention, providing statistical significance of the changes observed

Results The study evaluated the carbon footprint and Global Warming Potential (GWP) of endoscopic procedures in 2,744 patients, encompassing 1,367 colonoscopies, 1,338 endoscopies, and 39 ERCPs, measuring environmental impacts before and after specific interventions. Results showed significant reductions in instrument usage and CO2 emissions from electricity, from 1,550 to 1,011 (p<0.021) and from 5,760 kg CO2 to 3,100 kg CO2 (p<0.035), respectively. Additionally, the carbon footprint decreased from 2,387,708 MT CO2e to 1,311,308 MT CO2e (t(4)=2.088, p=0.0402). The GWP analysis also showed a significant improvement, moving from 2.6±1.3 to 1.3±0.7 (t(4)=9.177, p=0.000016), indicating that the interventions effectively reduced the global warming potential associated with these procedures.

Conclusions Our study shows significant reductions in the carbon footprint and Global Warming Potential (GWP) of endoscopic procedures after targeted interventions. Notable decreases in CO2 emissions from electricity and instrument use were observed, validating the effectiveness of educational and procedural changes in the hospital setting. The substantial improvement in GWP highlights the potential for major environmental impact reductions through dedicated efforts, underscoring the importance of adapting healthcare practices for sustainability without compromising care.

Publication History

Article published online:
27 March 2025