The Carbon Footprint of Organ Transplantation in the USA

The purpose of this review is to evaluate the available literature on the environmental impact of healthcare, focusing specifically on solid organ transplantation.

Little has been written on the environmental impact of solid organ transplantation, but there are several studies on the carbon footprint of operating rooms and hemodialysis, which help provide some context for the potential impact of solid organ transplantation.

The field of climate science as related to the provision of healthcare is new and requires dedicated research to build out a comprehensive understanding of the primary drivers of carbon emissions. Study design is key when trying to determine the environmental impact of different sub-sectors within healthcare, and we describe how different designs lend themselves to different aspects of solid organ transplantation. Further research is needed to determine the environmental impact of solid organ transplantation and develop strategies to mitigate this impact.