Implementation of a low-flow intervention at a veterinary teaching hospital: an environmental initiative

Inhalational anaesthetics such as isoflurane and sevoflurane are widely used in veterinary medicine, but are potent greenhouse gases that contribute substantially to climate change. Low-flow anaesthetic techniques are recommended to minimise their environmental impact, yet their adoption in veterinary practice remains uncertain. This study evaluated the environmental benefits of implementing a standardised low-flow anaesthesia protocol at a veterinary teaching hospital as part of a sustainability initiative. Anaesthetic records from 120 procedures before and 120 after the intervention were analysed to compare FGF rates and volatile agent use during the maintenance phase. The intervention included staff education, email correspondence, visual aids, and a standardised low-flow protocol. Post-intervention, mean FGF decreased by 52% (from 1.27 to 0.61 L/min), corresponding to a proportional 52% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (from 4.24 to 2.03 kg CO₂e/h). This equated to a decrease in average car mileage emissions from 31.65 to 15.17 km driven per hour of anaesthesia. Survey responses from anaesthesia staff (n = 21) indicated strong support for the protocol. Targeted education and standardised protocols can meaningfully reduce inhalant use and emissions in veterinary anaesthesia. Broader adoption of similar initiatives could yield considerable environmental benefits across the veterinary profession.