Is nitrous oxide a climate risk? Yes, but doctors say effective pain relief in childbirth should be the priority

Study suggests nitrous oxide represents 7% of global emissions, but experts warn alternative pain relief for women during childbirth are not available at all hospitals. Photograph: damircudic/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Greenpeace and obstetricians have questioned a scientific report warning pregnant women to consider alternatives to nitrous oxide as pain relief during childbirth because of the environmental impact of its emissions.

A report in Australasian Anaesthesia notes that while nitrous oxide – known as laughing gas when used as an anaesthetic – is an effective method of pain relief during labour, the gas represents 7% of global emissions, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Carbon dioxide and methane account for 66% and 16% respectively.