Article

Introduction

Veterinary practices around the world increasingly want to become more sustainable as their communities respond to the escalating impacts of climate change (1). The biggest long-term threat to the future health of all animals is climate change (2), and because veterinary teams are committed to better animal health, action on climate change should be an essential part of their offering to their community. Most of this article explores the benefits of environmentally sustainable changes that can be implemented in any existing practice; the final section briefly explores the significant additional opportunities available if a practice is able to renovate or rebuild. Ultimately good sustainable processes and thoughtful building design offer substantial opportunities to enhance team, purpose, client value and practice profitability.

Sustainability is about waste

The word “sustainability” is used in many different contexts, so it is important to be clear about the definition of environmental sustainability. The UN defines it as “meeting the needs of the present generation without impacting on the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”*. This can be translated to a practical working definition, which is that sustainability is about “not generating any waste to the air, land or waterways that will have any impact on future generations.” The emission of greenhouse gases – which equates to carbon waste – is driving climate change, so any action on climate change needs to reduce carbon emissions.

* https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/sustainability

All types of waste need to be identified when implementing a sustainability program in veterinary practice. While veterinary teams are appalled by the large volumes of physical medical waste produced in the clinic, many are unaware that the greatest amount of waste generated by veterinary practice is carbon emissions. For example, the author’s clinic (a 6-veterinarian small animal practice) found in their 2023 carbon audit (Figure 1) that they generated about 2.5 tons of physical landfill waste and 90 tons of CO₂ equivalent carbon waste (3).

Waste reduction in veterinary practice

Veterinary teams are a trusted influential voice in the community and can significantly impact society by building widespread support for action on climate change. There are two major ways in which this can be actioned:

• Reducing emissions in the clinic: practices need to target this as part of a community wide commitment to achieve Net Zero. 
• Inspiring their clients to reduce emissions: about two thirds of the population have pets or care for animals and regularly interact with veterinary teams (4), so there is an opportunity to influence two thirds of the population to support more emissions reduction. Leadership that connects climate action to a shared responsibility for animal health can help build widespread community support for better government policies, as legislation is the most powerful tool to make the changes needed to reduce the impact of climate change. The goal is for a practice to make emissions reduction normal, essentially so that people say “if my veterinary practice is doing it, then it must be OK.”

Designing a Net Zero strategy 

From a practical point of view, sustainability involves reducing waste. Nearly all waste produced in a veterinary practice has a carbon emission value, and this can be used to measure and prioritize waste reduction towards a long-term goal. This approach can be formulated into a Net Zero strategy, a plan that provides a structured approach to emissions reduction that is necessary to slow the progression of climate change. The key components of a Net Zero strategy are:

1. Purpose: The veterinary team needs to understand WHY this is important. They are reducing emissions to deliver better animal health.
2. Goal: Setting a long-term goal provides clear direction to the team. Net Zero by 2050, as agreed by the 2015 Paris agreement (5), aligns with national and international targets to limit global warming.
3. Process: All veterinary practice waste generates carbon emissions, so measurement of carbon can be used to identify and highlight waste reduction. Each emission in the clinic is produced by a system of work, so by reviewing different systems it is possible to identify, measure and prioritize carbon reductions. 
4. Driver: The decision to implement a Net Zero strategy will be increasingly vindicated. Climate change will continue to progress for the foreseeable future, so the decision to implement a Net Zero strategy will be continually reinforced.

Net Zero Strategy is good for veterinary practices

As mentioned above, an important process in a Net Zero strategy is reviewing the systems that result in emissions in a practice. A good systems review will often deliver immediate operational and financial benefits, simply because better processes are immediately apparent. This was a common experience during the recent COVID pandemic, which forced the review of many existing systems, and it became obvious that there were better ways of doing things. It is worth noting that many of these changes, such as online meetings and working from home, have continued after the pandemic subsided. Multiple benefits can be derived from a well-implemented Net Zero strategy:

1. Financial benefits

• Energy savings – by transitioning to all-electric heat pump appliances, LED lighting, rooftop solar panels (Figure 2) and batteries.
• Systems review savings – a good example would be to review practice anesthesia protocols to reduce isoflurane emissions. This can result in better premedicants, more local and regional anesthesia, increased use of CRI (continuous rate infusion) analgesia, and reduced gas flow rates. Not only does this save money, it can also introduce new profit centers and deliver better patient care through safer anesthesia and better analgesia.
• Supply chain review – reviewing existing supply contracts offers new opportunities and the possibility of getting a better deal; an example would be reviewing waste contractor arrangements.

2. Team engagement

Successful veterinary teams have a clear motivation and purpose for their work, which extends beyond their rate of pay. Caring for our planet and the future health of all animals complements the existing culture of care in veterinary teams.

3. Recruitment

More than 40% of Generation Z and Millennials now consider the environmental credentials of a business when considering job applications (6).

4. Government regulation

Countries around the world are introducing climate reporting obligations to complement national Net Zero ambitions, and many larger corporate veterinary practices will be subject to such requirements. A Net Zero strategy enables practices to create opportunities from the climate data reporting.

5. Marketing opportunities

A significant component of a clinic’s client base will be attracted to a more sustainable practice, and studies in the veterinary sector have shown that owners are willing to pay more for sustainable services (1). 

6. Better risk management

• Direct physical risks – planning for extreme weather events can mitigate losses. For example, rooftop solar with battery backup can reduce power bills, reduce carbon emissions and protect refrigerated medicines in the event of power outages due to storm events.
• Transitional risks– some assets, such as certain items of equipment, could become redundant in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
• Litigation risks – mainly relates to possible failure to comply with corporate disclosure obligations.

Easy steps to begin the path to Net Zero

So how can a practice begin to work towards Net Zero? There are five major points to consider.

1. Management must be on board

A successful Net Zero strategy starts with a genuine commitment from management (7). Board members, practice owners and managers need to understand and embrace the strategy and then align it with existing business strategies (such as budgets, standards of care, recruitment, team motivation and marketing). For example, the veterinary team will lose motivation if they are expected to maintain standards of care and reduce anesthetic gas use, but are not provided with adequate training or equipment.

The “why” is the fundamental purpose of a Net Zero strategy. It is critically important that management educates the veterinary team on why climate action is important for the future of animal health, and this aligns with the existing commitment to better animal healthcare provided by the practice. This can be done through existing practice training and communication channels such as policies and procedures, staff induction protocols and team meetings.

2. Measure the carbon footprint

Measuring the carbon footprint of a business follows a standard process as outlined in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (8). Carbon auditing is divided into three areas known as Scopes (Box 1). The easiest way to begin an audit is to measure only the main components of Scope 1 and 2 emissions in the practice. Data is simple to gather, there will be significant financial savings, and emissions reduction goals can be set. Gather data from energy bills, anesthetic purchases and odometer readings from vehicles owned and operated by the practice. This can then be converted using a carbon calculator to provide the carbon footprint as tons of CO₂ equivalent.

The primary objective is to achieve some reduction in emissions within the first year. It is important not to become overwhelmed with detail and complexity when introducing a new process to a busy veterinary team, so set simple achievable goals in the early stages. Carbon auditing will need to be repeated annually, so it is useful to develop systems that tag future data retrieval from accounting and practice management software. Once the practice becomes familiar with the Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon footprint, Scope 3 emissions can be added to complete the entire carbon footprint audit. The long-term aim is to set annual reduction targets towards a goal of Net Zero by 2050.

 

Box 1. Carbon auditing scopes, with examples for veterinary practice.

 

3. Reporting

Initially, the simplest way to report is to notify management and the veterinary team as to the total amount of the Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Be clear that this is a significant start, but it is not the total carbon footprint; Scope 3 emissions will need to be added in the future to determine the total carbon footprint. Report total emissions and convert this to emissions intensity (i.e., emissions per Full Time Vet Equivalent), which enables comparisons regardless of practice size. Importantly, set a date to report again next year.

4. Reduction strategies

The process of emissions reduction begins with systems review. Identify the key emission you want to reduce and examine the systems related to that emission in the practice. Two features of emissions reduction strategies need to be considered from a practical perspective; will the strategy generate a significant emissions reduction, and will it engage the team?

Ideally, the aim is to achieve significant emissions reductions as soon as possible. Rooftop solar and green power purchase agreements are great examples of significant emissions reduction, but requires little team involvement. Team engagement is needed to deliver most of the reduction programs on the floor of the clinic; for example, a recycling program is great for team involvement, but does not reduce emissions as much many other programs. Compare this to an anesthetic gas reduction program; this requires significant team engagement and also delivers emissions reductions (Figure 3). Another example would be a review of cage bedding policy, and a case study is given in Box 2. Team engagement is also needed to connect with clients and generate long-term value from a Net Zero strategy.

 

Box 2. Case study – systems review of patient bedding.

5. Celebrating success and building client value 

To keep the veterinary team engaged it is important to make the processes interesting or fun, and to celebrate and reward success. The existential nature of climate change can be intimidating and emotionally draining, and can lead to disenchantment or rejection of the process. People are more likely to join a movement or organization that is enjoyable, so a long-term goal is to make sustainability and Net Zero normal, stimulating and entertaining. Useful strategies include:

• Social media posting – make sure to include healthy happy pets and a smiling team whenever posting (Figure 4).
• Annual events – creating an annual event such as a month where you report and review your annual carbon footprint is an opportunity to harness the creative energies of your team. ZerOctober (9) is an Australian initiative by Vets for Climate Action to make October “Sustainability and Net Zero Month” in the veterinary profession. This has several benefits, as set out in Box 3. 
• Client conversations are a powerful way to create long-term value from sustainability and Net Zero achievements, and can be facilitated if team members are confident and comfortable about discussing Net Zero successes. It starts with embedding a culture of sustainability within the veterinary team, and then building skills and opportunities to generate conversations that connect climate action and better animal health.
• Gamification is a technique that can be used to harness creative and competitive energies within the team. Activities will be more effective if the team has significant input into the design and implementation of games and competitions, so they have ownership of the process. 
• Buddy support or a small chat forum can help solve problems and maintain enthusiasm. Regular online discussions within small groups create personal interactions to share ideas and support each other.

 

Box 3. The benefits of making October “Sustainability Month”.

New builds and renovations

Essentially, sustainability in practice can be divided into sustainable systems (i.e., a Net Zero strategy) which can be implemented in any practice, and sustainable facilities. The latter – i.e., when rebuilding or renovating a practice – will not be an option for everyone, but it presents a huge opportunity if the chance arises. Veterinarians are not trained in architecture, and the process of rebuilding or renovating can be complex and overwhelming. Engaging the services of an architect who has experience in both environmental design and veterinary/medical facilities is highly recommended. Architects understand light, space, people movement and materials, and will deliver long-term value to the project.

Sustainability is about the long-term horizon, so the costs of a new building extend beyond a generation. There are three important considerations here; construction cost, maintenance cost and operating cost. Because of the large investment required, there is naturally a desire to minimize construction costs, but this can have long-term consequences by increasing maintenance and operating expenses. For example, poor quality materials need to be maintained and replaced more often, which adds expense and interrupts the business; poor insulation and erroneous solar orientation increase ongoing energy costs; lack of natural light, confined spaces and awkward workflows affect staff morale and retention.

Heat recovery ventilation is an excellent example of how sustainable design delivers benefits to profit, the team, pets and owners. In the author's practice heat recovery ventilation units run continuously in all workspaces. There is continual low flow exchange of air to the outside, with fresh incoming air exchanging energy with the outgoing air. When compared to extraction fans, heat recovery ventilation saves money by not wasting the energy used to heat or cool the workplace. The continual introduction of fresh air helps minimize the “clinic smell” which is a buildup of volatile organic compounds from disinfectants, urine and animal smells. Clients waiting in confined consult rooms breathe fresh clean air, animals are not overstimulated (and therefore are less likely to bite) by strong smells on arrival at the clinic, and the veterinary team breathes cleaner air.

Investing in the services of a good architect to design a new build or renovation will deliver returns in the long run. Sustainable building design can deliver a building that is a great place to work, is inviting for clients to visit, and cheaper to operate (Figure 5). This will deliver long-term benefits to profit, team purpose and client value long after the construction cost has been paid.

Conclusion

Veterinarians are committed to better animal health, and climate change is the biggest threat to the future health of all animals. When veterinary management embraces a Net Zero strategy that delivers both emissions reduction and team engagement, the benefits flow through to increased team purpose, client appreciation and practice profitability. Establishing a culture of sustainability within the veterinary team that embodies ownership, creativity and enthusiasm enables the full potential of a Net Zero strategy to be realized. This approach not only attracts more individuals to the movement, but also provides tangible benefits to clients, thereby creating value and building widespread community support for better climate policies.

 

References

1. Deluty SB, Scott DM, Waugh SC, et al. Client choice may provide an economic incentive for veterinary practices to invest in sustainable infrastructure and climate change education. Front. Vet. Sci. 2020;7:622199. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.622199 
2. IPCC, 2023: Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, pp. 1-34, doi: 10.59327/IPCC/AR6-9789291691647.001.
3. Brimbank Vet Clinic – Climate Active public disclosure statement. https://www.climateactive.org.au/buy-climate-active/certified-members/brimbank-vet-clinic. Accessed Feb 22^nd, 2025
4. Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people
5. United Nations Paris Agreement. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/paris-agreement. Accessed Feb 22^nd 2025
6. Deloitte Gen Z and Millennial survey 2024 file:///C:/Users/jerwa/Downloads/deloitte-2024-genz-millennial-survey.pdf
7. Watson JA, Klupiec C, Bindloss J, et al. The path to Net Zero carbon emissions for Vet practice. Front. Vet. Sci. 2023;10:1240765. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1240765
8. Greenhouse Gas Protocol for Project Accounting. Available at: https://ghgprotocol.org/project-protocol (Accessed Feb 22^nd, 2025) 
9. Vets for Climate Action ZerOctober. Available at: https://www.vfca.org.au/zeroctober, accessed Feb 22^nd 2025

 

Further reading

1. Climate Change And Animal Health. Stephen C, Duncan C (eds). 1^st Ed. London, CRC Press, 2023. ISBN 9780367712020
2. How To Talk About Climate Change In A Way That Makes A Difference. Huntley R. London, Murdoch Books, 2020. ISBN 9781911632764