Goal 1: #DistheDes
Dramatically reduce Desflurane by January 2026 in alignment with European Union Goals building on the successes of Newfoundland and Labrador (NFLD), Nunavut and the Northwest Territories (NWT).
🎉 Celebrating 100 desflurane-free hospitals!
“In accordance with Canadian Anesthesiologists Society Guidelines and just as more than 100 Canadian hospitals have already done, desflurane should be eliminated from clinical practice” said Dr Stephan Williams, anesthesiologist at CHUM in Montreal. (June 17 2025)
Desflurane-Free Hospitals in Canada
Note: this map is not complete. If you would like to add your hospital, send us a note at gagnon.will@gmail.com. This work builds on the hard work and dedication of many volunteers across the country. You can find the Ontario’s Anesthesiologists’ list of hospitals that have eliminated or reduced desflurane from their operations here. The list desflurane-free hospitals in Quebec was compiled by the AAQ and made available on their website. The BC list was compiled with the help of Sonja Janousek and Emily Lomax. Thank you for your help!
Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Position Statement on reducing harmful emissions, waste & costs
“In accordance with Canadian Anesthesiologists Society Guidelines and just as more than 100 Canadian hospitals have already done, desflurane should be eliminated from clinical practice” said Dr Stephan Williams, anesthesiologist at CHUM in Montreal. (June 17 2025)Read more here (PDF)
Doctors of BC’s Position Statement on Climate Change & Human Health
“Doctors of BC commits to: […] Supporting BC physicians to improve sustainability in their practices through quality improvement projects, and to spread and scale up successful quality initiatives that generate outcomes such as limiting waste, improving the use of resources, and limiting the carbon footprint of the workplace. ”Read more here (PDF)
National phase-out dashboard
3 out 6 health authorities have phased out desflurane. Others are currently working on a phase out. CBC.
Fast-paced progress, phase out by Fall 2025 highly likely.
YMA issued a statement in favor of a transition. Statement available upon request.
Email exchanges confirm full phase-out of desflurane.
How you can help
Fill our 1 min volunteer survey:
Would you like to join our target-based advocacy efforts regarding desflurane phase-out and sustainable healthcare and get connected into the group doing this work in your jurisdiction with our national support? Answer our short survey here and let us know how you would like to contribute.
Get your organization to endorse our campaign
Would you like to join our target-based advocacy efforts regarding desflurane phase-out and sustainable healthcare and get connected into the group doing this work in your jurisdiction with our national support? Answer our short survey here and let us know how you would like to contribute.
Additional Resources
- INESSS - Publication: Diminuer l’empreinte carbone des agents anesthésiques inhalés au bloc opératoire lors d’une anesthésie générale : stratégies et enjeux à considérer
- Ontario's Anesthesiologists - Environmental Sustainability Position Statements
- Ontario's Anesthesiologists - Reducing/Eliminating Desflurane
- Canadia Anesthesiologists' Society - Position Statement
- International Pharmaceutical Federation - Statement Policy on Environmental sustainability
- Choosing Wisely Canada - Decentering Desflurane: A Climate Action Success Story
- Northwest Terriroties - NWT 'first in Canada' to phase out polluting anesthetic gas
- New Brunswick - Greener possibilities on the operating table at Fredericton hospital
- Choosing Wisely Canada - Decentering Desflurane: A Climate Action Success Story
- Scotland - Scotland first to ban environmentally harmful anaesthetic
- European Union - What is desfllurane and how is it bad for the environment?
- Australia - NSW Government: Environmental impact of desflurane
Desflurane, a gas long used in anesthesia, has a global warming potential (GWP) thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide: it accounts for up to 80% of anesthetic-related greenhouse gas emissions. Alternatives like sevoflurane and total intravenous anesthesia offer comparable efficacy with significantly lower environmental impact. Additionally, this switch represents cost savings for Canadians, as desflurane is twice as expensive as sevoflurane. Phasing out desflurane is a priority in sustainable healthcare, with Scotland having withdrawn it from operating rooms, and the UK having committed to phasing it out by the end of 2024. Canada has committed to climate-resilient, sustainable low-carbon healthcare. Desflurane phase-out is a priority intervention in our analysis of climate-related social tipping interventions by the health sector.
William Gagnon, BEng MSc PMP LEED AP BD+C & NDDirector of Strategy
Email: gagnon.will@gmail.com
Phone: +1 514 996 6284
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