#115: The Path To Zero Carbon Clinics: Transforming Veterinary Practices for the Planet. With Dr Jeremy Watson.
Dr. Jeremy Watson shares his journey from veterinary practice to becoming a passionate advocate for sustainability in the veterinary field. The discussion delves into the critical intersection of climate change and animal health, emphasising the veterinary profession's responsibility to lead in mitigating environmental impact. Dr. Watson explains his experience with creating a carbon-neutral veterinary practice, highlighting practical steps such as improving energy efficiency, addressing anesthetic gas emissions, and adopting sustainable waste management practices. The conversation also explores the role of Vets for Climate Action and their Climate Care Program, designed to support practices in reducing their carbon footprint. Through relatable anecdotes and actionable advice, Dr. Watson inspires veterinarians to integrate sustainability into their clinics while demonstrating the tangible benefits for both business and the planet.
You know you want to do it, but you don't know where to start. It's a daunting task for sure - veterinary practice is not known for being soft on the environment, so the thought of acting to reduce the impact of your veterinary workplace can seem paralysingly complex. So where DO we begin? Well, you can begin with this podcast.
Dr Jeremy Watson is a veterinarian and practice owner. His desire to take action on climate change was put into motion in 2011 when a practice rebuild commenced, marking the beginning of his journey towards establishing a vet business with environmental sustainability as one of its core values.
In 2020, Jeremy joined Vets for Climate Action, driven by a passion to highlight the vital role of veterinary teams in inspiring urgent action on climate change. Following on from his sustainability-focussed clinic rebuild over ten years ago, Jeremy's clinic has recently snagged accreditation as Australia's very first certified carbon-neutral veterinary practice, and Jeremy now works tirelessly to get other vets on board with the same eco-friendly approach.
In this conversation, Jeremy talks us through what his experience looked like, what he learned from it, and what the 'levers' are that can be pulled to have the greatest impact in the right direction.
Jeremy also introduces us to Vets for Climate Action's Climate Care Program, a program that aims to overcome that paralysis of knowing it's a problem, but not knowing where to start. He discusses what that process looks like, what the most common stumbling blocks are, and what the short-term wins are, beyond it simply being the right thing to do.
Topic list:
04:02 - Bad Decisions and Good Stories
05:11 - The Human Nature of Climate Inaction
07:09 - Resistance to Change and Climate Paralysis
09:10 - The Climate Care Program for Vet Practices
11:40 - Surprising Environmental Impacts in Vet Practices
13:01 - Business Case for Environmental Sustainability
17:31 - The Process of Becoming Carbon Neutral
19:04 - The Importance of Reducing Anaesthetic Gas Usage
20:10 - Financial Benefits of Sustainable Practices
24:22 - The Climate Care Program's Support and Structure
28:03 - The Unexpected Impact of Bedding on the Environment
29:05 - Alternatives to Traditional Pet Cremation
32:10 - The Benefits of Going Paperless
33:01 - Joining the Climate Care Program
35:07 - UN Definition of Sustainability
36:09 - The Role of Vets for Climate Action
37:37 - The No-Brainer of Solar Panels for Vet Practices
38:41 - Importance of Collaboration in Climate Action
40:08 - Impacts of Some of Our Practices on the Environment
47:15 - The Climate Care Program's Role in Vets for Climate Action
48:03 - Global Collaboration for Veterinary Sustainability
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The Role of Veterinary Practices in Combating Climate Change
- Veterinary practices can significantly reduce their environmental impact by adopting sustainable practices. This includes implementing energy efficiency measures, such as using LED lighting and high-efficiency electric appliances, and transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar panels, which offer long-term cost savings and environmental benefits.
- Another important area is waste management, which involves reducing waste generation, improving recycling practices, and exploring alternatives to traditional pet cremation, such as aquamation, which uses an alkaline solution to break down remains and offers a lower-carbon option.
- Anaesthetic gases, particularly isoflurane, contribute significantly to a practice’s carbon footprint. Practices can reduce their reliance on these gases by adopting techniques like capnography, using more CRIs for pain relief, and exploring alternatives such as local anaesthesia and intravenous anaesthesia.
- The Climate Care Program, developed by Vets for Climate Action, offers a structured pathway for veterinary practices to achieve net zero emissions. This program provides resources and guidance to help practices assess their current environmental impact, set targets for emissions reduction, and implement practical solutions.
- It includes six modules that cover various aspects of sustainability, including energy efficiency, waste management, and anesthetic gas reduction. The program also emphasises the importance of engaging the entire practice team to create a culture of sustainability.
- Embracing sustainability offers numerous benefits for veterinary practices, including financial savings, improved patient care, enhanced marketing opportunities, and increased staff retention.
- Sustainable practices often lead to cost reductions through lower energy and water bills and reduced waste disposal fees.
- By adopting more environmentally friendly anaesthetic protocols, practices can improve patient outcomes, enhance pain management, and promote smoother recoveries.
- Sustainability initiatives can attract new clients, particularly those concerned about environmental issues, and improve staff morale by creating a more positive and purpose-driven work environment.
- Due to their trusted position within the community, veterinarians have a unique opportunity to advocate for climate action and influence clients to adopt more sustainable practices. By educating clients about the impact of climate change on animal health and recommending environmentally friendly products and services, such as low-carbon pet food and sustainable pet accessories, veterinary practices can help normalise sustainable behaviors.
- Vets for Climate Action engages in advocacy work to influence policy changes and promote broader societal action on climate change.
- Collaboration is key to addressing climate change effectively. Vets for Climate Action actively collaborates with other veterinary organisations globally to share knowledge, resources, and best practices.
- While the scale of the climate crisis can feel overwhelming, it is crucial to maintain hope and focus on taking action within one's sphere of influence. By embracing sustainable practices, advocating for change, and supporting organisations like Vets for Climate Action, veterinary professionals can make a significant contribution to creating a healthier planet for both animals and people.
Simple Changes for Big Impacts in Veterinary Practices
- Reduce Anaesthetic Gas Usage: Anaesthetic gases are a major contributor to veterinary practices' carbon footprint. By adopting techniques like capnography to monitor patients and safely reduce flow rates, using more CRIs for pain relief, and exploring alternative anaesthesia methods like local and intravenous anaesthesia, practices can significantly reduce their reliance on these harmful gases. This not only benefits the environment but also leads to improved patient care and smoother recoveries.
- Switch to Sustainable Bedding: Traditional bedding materials, such as synthetic blankets and towels, release microplastic fibres when washed and dried, contributing to environmental pollution. Switching to single-size cotton towels and woollen blankets offers a more sustainable alternative. These materials are often readily available through donations from clients, creating a circular economy and reducing the need for new resources. This change also benefits the practice by streamlining bedding management and creating a neater kennel area.
- Re-evaluate Incontinence Pads: While convenient, incontinence pads are often made of plastic and contribute to landfill waste. Consider the environmental impact of disposable pads versus washing reusable towels, and explore alternative solutions that minimise both waste and water usage.
- Embrace Digital Solutions: Transitioning to a paperless system, like Jeremy Watson's practice did with Vetcheck, reduces paper consumption and its associated environmental impact. Digital systems also offer efficiency benefits, such as streamlined client admissions and improved record keeping. Remember, however, that even digital systems have a carbon footprint due to data storage. The key is to be mindful of both physical and digital resource consumption.
- Engage the Entire Team: Creating a culture of sustainability requires the participation of everyone in the practice. Encourage open dialogue, empower team members to identify areas for improvement, and celebrate successes. Small changes, such as being more diligent with recycling, can lead to significant collective impact.
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