Environmental Sustainability Network: August 2026 update
Find out what the Environmental Sustainability Network (ESN) has been up to.
Sustainability prof doc piloted
The revised PS64 Position statement on environmental sustainability in anaesthesia and pain medicine practice 2026 and its background paper have commenced a four-month pilot. The documents are available for use, and feedback gathered throughout the pilot may inform refinements before the final versions are endorsed. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed their time, expertise and commitment to progressing this important work.
Update: Growing support for the joint statement on nitrous oxide
The ANZCA, Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) and New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists (NZSA) “Joint Statement on Decommissioning Nitrous Oxide Medical Gas Pipeline Systems”, developed with significant input from the ESN Executive Sub-committee, continues to support efforts to improve both patient safety and environmental sustainability. The statement advocates for the decommissioning of reticulated nitrous oxide systems, avoiding the installation of new systems, and using point-of-care cylinders. Importantly, the statement doesn’t seek to change the clinical indications for nitrous oxide use. The college is engaging with government health departments regarding the practical application of the statement.
The statement has received formal endorsement from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). This endorsement reflects growing recognition across the healthcare sector of the environmental and operational benefits of addressing nitrous oxide leakage from pipeline systems while maintaining safe access for clinical care. The ESN Executive Sub-committee thanks RANZCOG for its support of this important initiative and looks forward to continuing collaboration with health services, governments and professional bodies to advance lower-carbon healthcare practices.
ESN ASM concurrent session recording
The 2026 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) ESN Concurrent session was held on 5 May in Auckland, and the recording is now available.
This session featured Dr Julia Singhal (“Single use plastics in healthcare”), Dr Matthew Jenks (“Nitrous oxide mitigation in New Zealand”), Dr Lisa Yockopua (“Sustainable anaesthesia in Papua New Guinea”) and Dr Eoin Roche (“Think before you test”).
Find out more
From policy development and advocacy to education and innovation, there’s plenty happening across the Environmental Sustainability Network. Continue reading the August ESN Newsletter for more updates, resources and opportunities to engage with this important work.
