Abstract
Climate crisis is dramatically changing life on earth. Environmental sustainability
and waste management are rapidly gaining centrality in quality improvement strategies
of healthcare, especially in procedure-dominant fields such as gastroenterology and
digestive endoscopy. Therefore, healthcare interventions and endoscopic procedures
must be evaluated through the ‘triple bottom line’ of financial, social, and environmental
impact. The purpose of the paper is to provide information on the carbon footprint
of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy and outline a set of measures that the
sector can take to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases while improving patient
outcomes. Scientific societies, hospital executives, single endoscopic units can structure
health policies and investment to build a “green endoscopy”. The AIGO study group
reinforces the role of gastrointestinal endoscopy professionals as advocates of sustainability
in digestive endoscopy. The “green endoscopy” can shape a more sustainable health
service and lead to an equitable, climate-smart, and healthier future.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 10, 2022
Accepted:
August 10,
2022
Received:
May 12,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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