Measuring the carbon footprint of Colchicine for Long COVID - a multicenter trial from India
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Introduction
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities is essential to combat climate change. The healthcare sector contributes to global emissions, and clinical trials play a crucial role in informing evidence-based healthcare practices. Attempts have been made to quantify emissions resulting from clinical trials to help devise effective mitigation strategies. We report carbon emissions from a multicenter clinical trial conducted in both community and hospital settings in India.
Methods
We audited the carbon emissions of a multicenter, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of colchicine for Long COVID (CTRI/2021/11/038234) using the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and the Corporate Value Chain Standard. A three-step methodology was followed, including identification of relevant organisational stakeholders and setting the scope of the calculation, data collection by developing relevant study tools, and calculation of emissions using applicable emission factors.
Results
The total emissions related to the trial were 12.38 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) for the trial duration of three years. The top contributors to the emissions were the local commute of trial coordinators and research staff (71%, 8.73 tonnes CO2e), trial meetings (9%, 1.13 tonnes CO2e), patient investigations (10%, 1.27 tonnes CO2e) and the electricity consumption at the clinical trial unit (5%, 0.61 tonnes CO2e).
Conclusion
The study demonstrated the feasibility of assessing the carbon footprint of a clinical trial conducted in India and provides a framework for future assessments and recommendations that can be considered during the planning and implementation of clinical trials.
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities is essential to combat climate change. The healthcare sector contributes to global emissions, and clinical trials play a crucial role in informing evidence-based healthcare practices. Attempts have been made to quantify emissions resulting from clinical trials to help devise effective mitigation strategies. We report carbon emissions from a multicenter clinical trial conducted in both community and hospital settings in India.
Methods
We audited the carbon emissions of a multicenter, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of colchicine for Long COVID (CTRI/2021/11/038234) using the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and the Corporate Value Chain Standard. A three-step methodology was followed, including identification of relevant organisational stakeholders and setting the scope of the calculation, data collection by developing relevant study tools, and calculation of emissions using applicable emission factors.
Results
The total emissions related to the trial were 12.38 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) for the trial duration of three years. The top contributors to the emissions were the local commute of trial coordinators and research staff (71%, 8.73 tonnes CO2e), trial meetings (9%, 1.13 tonnes CO2e), patient investigations (10%, 1.27 tonnes CO2e) and the electricity consumption at the clinical trial unit (5%, 0.61 tonnes CO2e).
Conclusion
The study demonstrated the feasibility of assessing the carbon footprint of a clinical trial conducted in India and provides a framework for future assessments and recommendations that can be considered during the planning and implementation of clinical trials.
Date Issued
2026-07-01
Date Acceptance
2026-06-01
Citation
The Journal of Climate Change and Health, 2026, 30
ISSN
2667-2782
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
The Journal of Climate Change and Health
Volume
30
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
100706
Date Publish Online
2026-07-09