ANZCA's statement on desflurane

We recognise the need for urgent action on climate change, and mitigating the effects of desflurane on planetary health is one initiative of a wider comprehensive suite of strategies. Anaesthetists continue to demonstrate leadership to decarbonise healthcare with ANZCA’s Environmental Sustainability Network (ESN) Executive Committee instrumental in the development of this statement.

The statement seeks to balance the current evidence and perspectives on administration of the greenhouse gas desflurane as an anaesthetic agent and to reinforce anaesthetists’ ability as clinicians to exert positive change and mitigate environmental impact.

It is supported by ANZCA PS64(G) Position statement on environmental sustainability in anaesthesia and pain medicine practice 2019 and the ANZCA Council Statement on Climate Change.

Along with the recently published Joint Statement: Working together to achieve sustainable high-quality health care in a changing climate as a shared commitment with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, interim Australian Centre for Disease Control, Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) representing all medical colleges, and the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA).

The reduction of desflurane is also a key action of the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care's National Health and Climate Strategy.

The desflurane statement further strengthens anaesthetists’ commitment, actions and measures to minimising the health impact of climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.

Further information on ANZCA and ESN executive actions is located here.