Carbon footprint of gastroenterology practice

NHS efforts in England to mitigate the climate crisis: uniting nurses and gastroenterologists

“…For some, the putting of figures to a problem can be a motivating force. The drive to measure the carbon-footprint of our practice is discussed elsewhere is this series 5 ; generating metrics which enable departments to monitor and quantify carbon savings could perhaps tap into the same behavioural psychology that has been exploited by the market in the form of sustainable travel apps, food packaging and clothing labels. But directing colleagues to a singular focus on carbon footprint may encourage a narrow conception of environmental pollution; carbon accounting may not fully capture and convey the potential for detrimental environmental impacts which can occur independently of greenhouse gas generation, such as air pollution, water depletion and ecotoxicity.…”

“…But directing colleagues to a singular focus on carbon footprint may encourage a narrow conception of environmental pollution; carbon accounting may not fully capture and convey the potential for detrimental environmental impacts which can occur independently of greenhouse gas generation, such as air pollution, water depletion and ecotoxicity. Second, the practice of carbonfootprinting complex healthcare processes is in its infancy; complicated by dynamic variables and local caveats, 5 it could leave departments feeling like they are trying to shoot at a moving target. Such an accounting exercise also demands a collective introspection that has to be thoughtfully managed to ensure it motivates teams and does not burden individuals with more documentation and reporting requirements.…”