Singapore hospital cuts 900 tonnes of CO2 by eliminating desflurane anesthetic gas

Changi General Hospital in Singapore eliminated desflurane from all surgeries, cutting usage from 242 litres in 2019 to just 1.44 litres in 2025. That 99.4% reduction removed an estimated 895 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions. Desflurane has a global warming potential 20 times higher than the alternative sevoflurane. One hour of desflurane surgery equals driving 300 km, while sevoflurane equals only 6.5 km. The hospital also cut nitrous oxide emissions and upcycled 178 kg of retired scrubs into reusable caps, avoiding another 5,041 kg of CO2 equivalent. This is a concrete example of how healthcare facilities can reduce their carbon footprint by switching anesthetic gases. The numbers are specific and the methodology is clear, making it a useful case study for hospitals looking to decarbonize operations.