An observational study evaluating the environmental impact of equine arthroscopy

Human pressures on Earth's life‒support systems have exceeded multiple planetary boundaries, highlighting the need for sectors, including veterinary healthcare, to reduce environmental impacts.

A prospective convenience sample of 10 horses undergoing arthroscopy at a UK equine hospital between January and March 2025 was studied. Data were collected on anaesthesia, volatile capture, pharmaceuticals, single-use consumables, waste, building energy and travel by horses and staff. Carbon emissions (kgCO₂e) were calculated using published conversion factors. A hybrid methodology combined bottom‒up process-based calculations with environmentally extended input-output (EEIO) modelling where primary data were unavailable.

Total emissions from the 10 procedures were 2044 kgCO₂e. Transport was the largest contributor (42%), followed by single-use consumables (21%), pharmaceuticals (11%), waste (3%) and building energy (<1%). Owner transport (median distance 251 km) accounted for 86% of travel emissions. The Vet-Can captured 490 g of isoflurane over 1199 minutes, with a median in vivo transfer efficiency of 39%.

Findings were constrained by emission factor availability, system-boundary inconsistencies, reliance on EEIO modelling and a small single-site sample, limiting generalisability. Volatile anaesthetic impact should be interpreted cautiously, as CO₂e-based quantification remains contentious.

Transport and single-use consumables represent priority targets for sustainability interventions.