Vets at the Heart of Sustainability

It was a privilege to deliver my recent presentation, Climate Change and Sustainability – the Role of the Practitioner: An Opportunity and a Responsibility as a keynote speaker at the joint SNGTV and European Buiatrics Congress in Nantes, France. We are living in a time of environmental crisis. From biodiversity collapse to climate change and antimicrobial resistance, the threats are significant and interconnected. But these challenges also present a profound opportunity—particularly for the veterinary profession.

Veterinary professionals operate at the unique intersection of animal, human, and environmental health. This One Health perspective gives us not only a responsibility but a remarkable opportunity to lead the transition toward sustainable, regenerative and climate-resilient food systems. With the global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, and rising demand for animal products, our role has never been more critical.

In the talk, I highlighted the Veterinary Sustainability Goals (VSGs), created by Vet Sustain, which encompass six key areas: Warming, Waste, Welfare, Wellbeing, Wildlife and Water. These goals give us a roadmap for embedding sustainability in everything we do—from clinical decisions to business operations and community engagement.

I explored how veterinary practices, even in their daily operations, can make significant environmental impacts. Small changes—such as switching to green energy, reducing single-use plastics, or optimising medicine use—can have profound ripple effects. Importantly, these improvements can be made without compromising animal welfare or clinical excellence.

Beyond the clinic, we hold influential positions in society. We’re trusted by our clients and communities, and we can use that trust to champion sustainability—through advocacy, education, and leadership.

As a co-founder of VetSalus, I’m particularly proud of the work we are doing on a global scale. VetSalus is an international network of veterinary professionals dedicated to sustainable animal health and welfare. Our work reflects the principles I spoke about in the presentation: providing training, consultancy, and practical support to vets and livestock professionals worldwide. We address critical issues such as antimicrobial stewardship, regenerative farming, and the adaptation of animal health systems in response to climate change. VetSalus works across borders to promote One Health solutions, resilient food systems, and better outcomes for people, animals, and the planet. This global effort complements and extends the work of Vet Sustain, showing how veterinary expertise can drive change not only locally, but globally.

I explained how veterinarians are already making a difference. But to scale up our impact, we need to feel empowered, informed, and supported. Many colleagues are eager to act, as shown in recent surveys, but seek more knowledge and tools. That’s where collaboration, shared learning, and organisations like Vet Sustain and VetSalus come in—offering frameworks, resources, and a shared mission.

In conclusion, I advocated that sustainability is not an add-on to our profession—it is central to it. Whether through reducing waste in a clinic, influencing policy, or guiding regenerative practices on farms, vets are essential to creating a better, more sustainable future. Let’s embrace that responsibility and rise to the challenge—together.