A Plea for the Evaluation of the Carbon Footprint of New Mini-invasive Surgical Technologies in Urology (European Urology)

Electronic technology use in operative rooms (ORs) has increased dramatically in recent decades, and the impacts of this practice on the environment have not been reported and evaluated properly [1]. Carbon footprint, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and global warming are terms that have been gaining increasing attention and significance worldwide [2]. There is no consensual definition of the term, but the carbon footprint is considered to be a quantitative expression of GHG emissions induced by human activity comprising burning fossil fuel necessary to produce electricity, exploit lands or mines, transport people or objects, operate machines, heat or cool buildings, and preserve or cook food.