"Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” Brundtland Report — Our Common Future, 1987. This lecture reviews approaches veterinarians can adopt to mitigate some of the causes of anthropogenic climate change by practicing sustainable veterinary medicine. This lecture demonstrates how to form a hospital green team, the steps required to perform a carbon calculation of hospital emissions, followed by how to formulate an action-driven carbon reduction management plan. Practical, readily implementable interventions is outlined on how to reduce the environmental impacts of veterinary care with an emphasis on energy, transition to zero–low carbon electrical energy sourcing, electrify everything including transport, and become much more energy efficient with substantial cost savings over the medium to long term. This lecture also discusses the importance of decreasing the impact of waste, water, procurement, anesthesia, and diet, whilst highlighting the value of preventative health. This presentation will emphasize the business case for integrating sustainability into all aspects of veterinary care.
