Sustainability tips for Everyone

It is widely accepted that our dietary choices have an impact on the environment, but how does this relate to the diet of our horses? The average 500 kg horse eats between 7.5 and 8 kg of hay per day, which equates to some 225 to 240 kg per month per horse. To produce it, a variety of grasses are grown in fields then cut, dried and bailed. Meadow hay is the most common type, consisting of a mix of plants from mature meadows including Timothy and dandelions. Other hays, differing in plant composi

For the first time, global warming has exceeded 1.5oC over an entire 12 month period, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. This does not break the Paris Agreement 1.5oC limit – as that refers to long-term warming – but it “does bring the world closer to doing so”. It is considered by many to be a “significant milestone” that highlights the challenges of keeping the 1.5oC long-term limit in reach. The temperature rise in the past year

As large animal vets, we spend a huge amount of time in our cars, and thus transport accounts for a large proportion of our environmental impact. Reduce your carbon footprint today by following these hints from BEVA’s Lucy Grieve and Callum James Haseler. Drive more efficiently Subtle changes like slowing down and accelerating smoothly can make a big difference to fuel consumption. There are companies which provide eco-driving courses and it is well worth investing in one of these at your

If food waste were a country, it would be the world’s third largest emitter after China and the USA. Our Sustainability Working Group tells us more... Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. Globally 25-30% of total food produced is wasted, wasting significant resources such as land, energy and water and contributing to 8-10% of the total man-made greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a common misconception that most food is wasted by retailers or during the food pr

Our latest article from the BEVA Sustainability Working Group explains the seemingly small, but potentially far reaching impact of using the internet. Information and communications technology (ICT) uses approximately 10% of global energy demand1, accounting for 4% of global carbon emissions2. The internet has become integral to both our personal and professional lives, including everything from emails, websites and social media, to online meetings and online shopping. Although the impact of the

Anthelmintics are important drugs used to protect our horses from internal parasites. When used according to veterinary recommendations, correctly, and in the right quantity, they treat intestinal worms and shield our horses from poor health, disease and colic. Unfortunately, their widespread and uncontrolled use has resulted in unwanted secondary effects, causing harm to both horses and the environment. Their misuse has produced resistance amongst parasites, which means it has reduced their eff

As equine vets, transport accounts for a large proportion of our carbon footprint. As we all become more cognisant of our environmental impact, our Sustainability Working Group look at ways in which we can travel more sustainably: 1. Drive more efficiently: • Subtle changes like slowing down and accelerating smoothly can make a big difference to fuel consumption. There are companies which provide eco-driving courses and it is well worth investing in one of these at your practice. • If

A growing awareness and commitment to making veterinary practice more environmentally sustainable is evident across our profession. The British Veterinary Association are championing greener veterinary practice, particularly through their series of webinars run this year in conjunction with Vet Sustain and VDS Training (for those that missed the series you can catch up by following links available here). Vet Sustain have built a network of ‘champions’ that are forming a community of

There is increasing focus on the effects that global warming is having on our planet and, when we look at this from a one health perspective, these impacts are far reaching to humans, animals, the environment and the economy. The Lancet described climate change as the ‘greatest global health threat facing the world in the 21st century, but also the greatest opportunity to redefine the social and environmental detriments of health’ (Lancet, 2022). Due to our ability to recognise the i