Singapore's CGH cuts desflurane, slashes emissions

Desflurane usage fell to just 1.44 litres in 2025 from 242 litres in 2019.

Changi General Hospital (CGH) has eliminated the anaesthetic gas desflurane from all surgical procedures, becoming the first hospital in Singapore to do so.

In a press release, CGH said desflurane usage fell to 1.44 litres in 2025 from 242 litres in 2019 — a 99.4% reduction — cutting an estimated 895 tonnes of carbon dioxide ( CO2) -equivalent emissions.

Peak-usage elimination is estimated to reduce annual carbon emissions by over 900 tonnes.

Desflurane carries a Global Warming Potential (GWP100) of 2,540, versus 130 for sevoflurane, the primary alternative — making it roughly 20 times more carbon-intensive.

One millilitre of desflurane produces about 3.72 kilogram (kg) of CO2-equivalent emissions, versus 0.196 kg for sevoflurane.

One hour of desflurane-based surgery generates emissions comparable to driving 300 kilometres (km) (Singapore to Kuala Lumpur); the same duration on sevoflurane equates to just 6.5 km.

CGH also cut emissions from nitrous oxide, another anaesthetic gas with a GWP100 of 265.

Other sustainability initiatives include 178 kg of retired hospital scrubs upcycled into more than 420 reusable operating theatre caps, avoiding 5,041 kg of CO2-equivalent emissions.