New report to help the veterinary profession be more sustainable and play its role in the UK’s race to net zero

There are many compelling ethical, business and One Health reasons for veterinary workplaces to consider taking action against climate change but, with busy day-to-day workloads and competing priorities, it can feel daunting to get started. Net zero: The role of veterinary workplaces in tackling climate change aims to break down the challenge of working towards net zero emissions, with actions that individuals and teams can take, whether they are just getting started or are further along in their sustainability journey.

The report explains the impact of climate change, what the veterinary profession’s role is in tackling it and why it is so important veterinary professions step up to play their part. A special guide “Four steps to net zero” provides practical steps on how to take positive action towards mitigating their workplaces impact on the environment.

The four steps:

Pledge your commitment to environmental sustainability: making a formal pledge or even just telling others of your intentions, such as pledging to reduce carbon emissions in the workplace, can help to increase the level of commitment.

Plan how to reduce emissions to zero: calculate the carbon emissions at your workplace, perhaps by using the Veterinary Carbon Calculator to help come up with a plan of action.

Proceed with immediate actions to reduce emissions: common ways teams or individuals can have an impact are from switching to green energy providers to performing waste audits to ensure waste is being correctly disposed of or recycled.

Publish your successes to monitor progress and inspire others: this could be as simple as updating teams of progress, reporting improvements publicly or signing up to an accreditation scheme to demonstrate progress and commitment, such as the Investors in the Environment (iiE) scheme.

The report also includes useful resources and showcases the ways real veterinary workplaces are taking action to reduce their impact on the environment. BVA is leading by example, taking steps to cut its carbon emissions and has retained its iiE ‘Green’ level for the third year running for sustainability performance.

British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Anna Judson said: “Many veterinary professionals have long been concerned about the impact the sector is having on the environment, and many are already taking action to mitigate this. However, there is still more work to do. Our vision is that by 2050 the profession will have adapted to support the UK’s net zero targets; is trusted on mitigating its own carbon footprint; and is a leading advocate for environmental sustainability. This new report is providing vet teams with the tools and the inspiration to do their bit, because small changes add-up to make a big difference.”

Vet Sustain Chair Ed Bailey said: “Vet Sustain’s mission is to enable and inspire veterinary professionals to continually improve the health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment. As veterinary professionals, we are privileged to be at the nexus of science, people, animals and an understanding of behavioural change. This position represents a tremendous opportunity to become sustainability changemakers in a way that is personally and professionally fulfilling. I hope this report empowers us to act as leaders towards this more hopeful future.”

Join the conversation on the veterinary profession’s role in tackling climate change at this year’s BVA Congress, held at London Vet Show from 14 – 15 November. The session Practise what you preach: Reaching net zero is a team effort will be held at 10.45am - 11.45am on 14 November in the BVA Congress Theatre with Chair Anna Judson, BVA’s Senior Vice President and panellists Ed Bailey, Clinical Director and Sustainability Lead at George Farm Vets, Laura Binnie, Sustainability Lead at Paragon Veterinary Group and James Bevan, Planetary Health Senior Teaching Fellow Public Health Registrar, University of Southampton. BVA members can get 15% off the price of their ticket. Visit london.vetshow.com for more

View the full report at:  www.bva.co.uk/net-zero-report

Get more sustainability information and tips using #GreenTeamVet or visit www.bva.co.uk/take-action/green-team-vet/