A Sustainable Approach to Clinical Veterinary Practice
Are you ready to support meaningful change for a sustainable future? Registration is now open for our brand new online course.
This course will empower veterinary professionals to drive the changes needed at a practice level, and to have the conversations needed more widely – for the benefit of the animals under our care, our communities, wildlife and the wider environment. The course offers a step-by-step guide to action sustainability in veterinary practice and embed these principles into our daily veterinary work. Learners will explore carbon footprinting and policy making, the carbon 'pawprint' of pet ownership, sustainability in the operating theatre, resource use and procurement, responsible use of medicines, waste management, understanding and creating behavioural change, and much more!
Sustainability course designed for veterinarians and paraprofessionals
Self-Paced Online Learning Course
Designed to fit around busy work and life schedules
Suitable for all roles within the veterinary profession
Primarily companion animal focused, although the principles are applicable to all spheres of clinical practice
Create an environmental management system for your workplace - including policies, audits and action plans
Equivalent to 35 hours of CPD
Attain a LANTRA accredited certificate
Course Overview
FREE PREVIEWWelcome to the Course from Module Authors
Modules
What to Expect
FREE PREVIEWHow to Navigate The Course - Top Tips
Pre-CPD Questionnaire
Directory of recommended reading and resources
About Us
Brief Overview
Module Champion: Laura Higham
FREE PREVIEWTASK 1.1 Introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.2 What is climate change?
1.2.1 What is causing the climate to change?
1.3 The Anthropocene
DEEP DIVE 1.3 The Anthropocene
TASK 1.3 The Anthropocene
1.4 How is the veterinary profession impacting on the climate?
1.5 How much has the Earth warmed?
DEEP DIVE 1.5 How much has the Earth warmed?
1.5.1 The Impact of 1.1 Degrees of Warming
1.5.2 The impacts of current warming on the veterinary profession
TASK 1.5.2 The impacts of current warming on the veterinary profession
1.6 What action has been taken on climate change globally?
TASK 1.6 What action has been taken on climate change globally?
DEEP DIVE 1.6 What action has been taken on climate change globally?
1.6.1 What action has been taken on climate change globally?....continued
TASK 1.6.1 What action has been taken on climate change globally?
QUICK QUIZ 1.6.1 What action has been taken on climate change globally?
1.7 Where are we heading?
DEEP DIVE 1.7 Where are we heading?
1.7.1 Tipping points
1.8 What do we need to do?
1.9 But it's not just about climate change
1.9.1 The biodiversity crisis
1.9.2 How is the veterinary profession impacting on our ecological systems?
DEEP DIVE 1.9.2 How is the veterinary profession impacting on our ecological systems?
1.10 The role of the veterinary profession
1.10.1 The One Health Concept
DEEP DIVE 1.10.1 The One Health Concept
1.10.2 A changing profession
TASK 1.10.2 A changing profession
1.11 Final Reflection
1.12 References
Brief Overview
Module Champion: Alice Moore
FREE PREVIEW2.1 Introduction
TASK 2.1 Introduction
2.2 What is meant by the term 'sustainability'
2.3 Planetary Boundaries
2.4 The triple bottom line
QUICK QUIZ 2.4 The triple bottom line
2.5 Social Sustainability
DEEP DIVE 2.5 Social Sustainability
2.5.1 Social Sustainability.....continued
TASK 2.5.1 Social Sustainability.....continued
2.6 Sustainability: A destination or a journey?
2.7 Is operating in a sustainable manner enough, or do we need to do more?
QUICK QUIZ 2.7 Is operating in a sustainable manner enough, or do we need to do more?
2.8 Opportunities gained from embracing sustainability
2.9 How UK Carbon Legislation affects veterinary practices
DEEP DIVE 2.9 How UK Carbon Legislation affects veterinary practices
2.10 Creating an environmental management system
TASK 2.10 Creating an environmental management system
2.10.1 Creating an environmental management system.....continued
2.11 Continuous improvement vs quality improvement
DEEP DIVE 2.11 Continuous improvement vs quality improvement
2.12 External accreditation schemes/awards/standards
2.13 Elevator Pitch
TASK 2.13 Elevator Pitch
2.14 Greenwashing
QUICK QUIZ 2.14 Greenwashing
2.15 Marketing sustainability
2.16 Perfection is the enemy of progress
2.17 Final Reflection
2.18 References
Introducing: The Project
Brief Overview
Module Champion: Emily Appleby
FREE PREVIEW3.1 Introduction
TASK 3.1 Introduction
3.2 What is a carbon footprint?
QUICK QUIZ 3.2 What is a carbon footprint
3.3 Why do we need to measure carbon footprints?
TASK 3.3 Why do we need to measure carbon footprints?
3.4 What do we need to measure?
DEEP DIVE 3.4 What do we need to measure?
TASK 3.4 What do we need to measure?
3.5 How to get started
3.6 Setting Targets
3.6.1 Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
3.6.2 Race to Zero
TASK 3.6.2 Race to Zero
3.7.1 Reducing emissions - GHG Management Hierarchy
DEEP DIVE 3.7.1 Reducing emissions - GHG Management Hierarchy
3.7.1.1 Reducing emissions - GHG Management Hierarchy
DEEP DIVE 3.7.1.1 Reducing emissions - GHG Management Hierarchy
3.8 Create a plan
3.9 Taking action
3.10 Carbon footprint PLUS
3.11 Final Reflection
3.12 References
Brief Overview
Module Champion: Gudrun Ravetz
FREE PREVIEWTASK 4.1 Introduction
4.1 Introduction: The carbon footprint of pet ownership
TASK 4.1.1 The carbon pawprint of pet ownership
4.2 Preventative Healthcare = Sustainable Healthcare
4.3 Avoiding Unnecessary Clinical Interventions
4.4 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Nutrition
DEEP DIVE 4.4 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Nutrition
4.4.1 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Raw Food Diets
4.4.2 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Insect Based Diets
TASK 4.4.2 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Insect Based Diets
4.4.2 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Plant Based Diets
DEEP DIVE 4.4.2 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Plant Based Diets
4.5 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Obesity
4.5.1 Obesity - Diseases reported to be associated with obesity in companion animals
QUICK QUIZ 4.5.1 Obesity - Diseases reported to be associated with obesity in companion animals
TASK 4.5.2 Obesity - Diseases reported to be associated with obesity in companion animals
4.5.2 Obesity - Diseases reported to be associated with obesity in companion animals
4.6 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Neutering
DEEP DIVE 4.6 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Neutering
TASK 4.6.1 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Neutering
4.6.1 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Neutering
4.7 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Vaccination
DEEP DIVE 4.7 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Vaccination
QUICK QUIZ 4.7 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Vaccination
4.8 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Dental Care
DEEP DIVE 4.8 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Dental Care
4.9 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Parasite Control
4.10 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Endoparasite Control
4.11 Models Of Preventative Healthcare - Ectoparasite Control
4.12 Hereditary Disease
TASK 4.12 Hereditary Disease
4.12.1 Hereditary Disease continued
DEEP DIVE 4.12 Hereditary Disease
4.13 How Sustainable Is The Importation Of Rescue Dogs And Cats?
DEEP DIVE 4.13 How Sustainable Is The Importation Of Rescue Dogs And Cats?
4.14 Preventative Healthcare And Engaging With Clients
4.14.1 Preventative Healthcare And Engaging With Clients - Client Information Sheets from Old Hall Vets
4.15 Personalised Care
4.16 Use Your Influence
4.17 Sustainable Pet Ownership Clinics
4.18 End Of Life
4.19 Welfare
4.20 Final Reflection
4.21 References
Brief Overview
Module Champion: Hannah James
FREE PREVIEWTASK 5.1 Introduction
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Procurement
5.2.1 Procurement - Life Cycle Analysis
TASK 5.2.1 Procurement
QUICK QUIZ 5.2.1 Procurement - Circular Economy
5.2.2 Procurement - Sustainable Procurement Considerations
DEEP DIVE 5.2.2 Procurement
5.2.3 Procurement - Vet Sustain Green Procurement List
TASK 5.2.3 Procurement - Green Swaps
5.2.4 Procurement - Sustainable Procurement Policy
5.3 Stock Control
5.4 Energy Use in Practice - Electricity
QUICK QUIZ 5.4 Energy Use in Practice
5.4.1 Energy Use in Practice continued
TASK 5.4.1 Energy Use in Practice
5.4.2 Energy Use in Practice - Solar Panels
TASK 5.4.2 Energy Use in Practice
DEEP DIVE 5.4.2 Energy Use in Practice
5.4.3 Energy Use in Practice - Central Heating
QUICK QUIZ 5.4.3 Energy Use in Practice
5.5 Water Use in Practice
TASK 5.5 Water Use in Practice
5.5.1 Water Use in Practice
DEEP DIVE 5.5.1 Water Use in Practice
5.6 Paper Use in Practice
5.7 Responsible Resource Use
TASK 5.7 Responsible Resource Use
5.8 Final Reflection
5.9 References
Our next courses will run in April and October 2025. Places are limited, register your interest below
Am I eligible to sign up for the course?
This course is primarily companion animal focussed, although the principles are applicable to all clinical practices. All members of the vet-led team are welcome to enrol on the course, there is some scientific content throughout the course but learners should not find this too challenging.
How much is the course?
The full price of the course will be £1,250 +VAT per student. Overseas (non-UK) businesses may be eligible for a non-VAT price of £1,250, please contact us for more information.
How long with the course take me to complete?
We expect each module to take around 3 hours to complete over the course of 6-9 months. In addition there are a number of deep dives and a list of further reading for those interested in a particular area or wishing to expand their knowledge further. We highly recommend diarising regular study sessions to keep progressing through the course content.
How much support with I have during the course?
There will be a live (and recorded) tutorial with the community and course organisers at the beginning, middle and end of the course to consolidate the learning material, address specific questions and participate in discussions. Students will also join a community of veterinary professionals all taking the course at the same time, to help each other along the way.
What do I need to accomplish in order to complete the course and receive my LANTRA accredited certificate?
During the course there will be tasks and quick quizzes to solidify learning throughout the course. In order to receive the LANTRA accredited certificate for completing the course, you are also required to complete an assignment. You will accumulate all the knowledge you require during the course to complete this assignment. In the assignment, you should formulate a strategy for driving sustainability within your clinical veterinary business. Consideration must be given as to how to effect cultural change, create an environmental management system and ensure continuous improvement in environmental performance long term.
MA VetMB CertVDI CertSAS FHEA DipECVS FRCVS.
BVSc MRCVS
BVetMed Dip Coaching(Hons) MRCVS
Vet Sustain supports veterinary professionals to become leading forces for sustainability