Sustainability in practice
The International Institute for Sustainability defines sustainability as 'meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs'.
This Sustainability collection brings together BSAVA resources to help highlight and inspire us as to why sustainability really matters and how we can make a difference.
Updated 2025.
Collection Contents
1 - 20 of 38 results
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Sustainability
Encouraging staff engagement 
Last month, Camilla Sherwin, Senior Sustainability Consultant and Partnerships Manager on the national green accreditation programme Investors in the Environment (iiE) highlighted how to set your organization on the right track to becoming a sustainable business. This month she offers advice on how to bring your colleagues with you on your sustainability journey.
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Sustainability
Becoming a sustainable business: closing the value-action gap 
Camilla Sherwin, Senior Sustainability Consultant and Partnerships Manager on the national green accreditation programme Investors in the Environment (iiE) highlights how to set your organization on the right track to becoming a sustainable business.
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BSAVA Awards
Environmentally friendly award for Hill’s 
Hill’s Pet Nutrition reached peak sustainability in the design and construction of its stand in the commercial exhibition at BSAVA Congress 2024 in Manchester last year. The company’s prize for the most environmentally friendly exhibit reflects a broader commitment to reduce waste and lighten its carbon footprint as Hillary Pearce, its Associate Professional and Veterinary Affairs Manager, explained to John Bonner.
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BSAVA PetSavers research
A One Health perspective on pet parasiticides 
A ‘One Health’ approach to the control of pet parasites considers the broader implications of parasiticide use, balancing animal, human and environmental health. With funding support from a BSAVA PetSavers Clinical Research Project grant, Rosemary Perkins is investigating imidacloprid emissions from collar-treated dogs to assess the significance of this pollution pathway. In this article Dr Perkins explains more about the study and how this research fits into the broader picture of evidence-based and responsible pet parasiticide use.
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Publications
Sustainability and the pet food industry 
A new print edition of the popular BSAVA Guide to Nutrition is due for release in 2025. To accompany the book, Nicole Paley, UK Pet food, has provided supplementary information on pet food sustainability to be hosted in the BSAVA Library. Here, we provide Companion readers with a sneak preview of what to expect in this important accompaniment to the Guide providing key insights for veterinary professionals.
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Positive sustainability
Sustainable travel 
This month, our sustainability journey continues with RCVS Recognized Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology, Gavin McAulay in the driving seat, assessing the travel decisions open to us with a view to reducing the climate change impact.
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Talking point
Pet parasiticides, pollution and the crucial role of vets 
It’s been more than 60 years since Rachel Carson’s landmark book Silent Spring was published, sounding the alarm on the devastating environment impacts of widespread pesticide use, and ultimately leading to a worldwide ban of the insecticide DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane).1 Yet today, the picture is just as bleak. Lizzie Croose reports…
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Positive sustainability
Getting to grips with ecoanxiety 
Vet Sustain Director Zoë Halfacree is recognized as an RCVS and EBVS specialist in Smal Animal Surgery. Zoë has worked in academia and private practice and is a passionate advocate for sustainability, both within education and our daily clinical practices. Here she focuses on ecoanxiety and explores how we can transform fear into hope when considering the damaging effects of climate change.
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Positive sustainability
The power of effective communication 
Jen Gale, vet and founder of Sustainable(ish) a platform and online community empowering and inspiring individuals to take eco-action, focuses on the importance of communicating sustainability at all levels in our daily and work lives.
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Positive sustainability
Rubbish and waste 
Vet Sustain Director, Zoë Halfacree, is recognized as an RCVS and EBVS specialist in Small Animal Surgery. Zoë has worked in academia and private practice and is a passionate advocate for sustainability, both within education and our daily clinical practices. Here she focuses on the opportunities of reducing and processing our rubbish and waste to decrease its environmental impact.
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Positive sustainability
Heating and power the sustainable way 
The energy used for heating buildings, cooling buildings and supplying electricity is a major, if not the biggest, contributor to your practice’s carbon footprint. Whilst this is a big area to tackle, it does mean that any small changes we make will result in a big difference in reducing our emissions! Becky Sedman, a member of the Vet Sustain Greener Veterinary Practice working group and a small animal vet, explains…
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Positive sustainability
Reduce, reuse and recycle in veterinary practice 
Laura Binnie leads on the Paragon Veterinary Group Sustainability Project where they are making changes to become a more sustainable business to reduce their impact on the environment and improve their local biodiversity. In this article, Laura shines a light on how to be part of the circular economy and how to reduce, reuse and recycle in veterinary practice.
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Positive sustainability
The impact of food on the climate crisis 
RVN Mel Gunn navigates her way through the complex relationship between our food and the current climate change dilemma.
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Positive sustainability
Why… the climate change problem needs addressing 
Dr Justine Shotton, Director of Vet Sustain and champion of environmental sustainability, conservation and animal welfare, guides us through the thorny problem of climate change and how we as individuals can start to make an impact on combating the problem.
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