Vet Sustain: "A key driver of sustainability within the veterinary sector"

Vet Sustain was established in 2019 by a group of passionate veterinary professionals, united by a shared mission: to help our veterinary colleagues to navigate the multiple sustainability problems we face, and to leverage our unique niche as trusted multidisciplinary scientists to drive change at the human-animal-environment interface.

Last year, after five years of building a network, delivering training, offering veterinary-bespoke tools and guidance, and fostering a community of commercial supporters, it was time to take a step back and see how well we were performing against our goals.

Vet Sustain applied for and won the Impact category of the Inspire-Launch-Grow Awards from Edinburgh Innovations at the University of Edinburgh in 2024. Using this fund to commission Human Behaviour Change for Life (HBCL) to conduct an independent evaluation of our work, we uncovered insights about our impact on the knowledge, confidence, and behaviours of our community members, and the barriers and challenges to be overcome to drive further change.

More specifically, we discovered:

82% of survey participants reported increased confidence in discussing sustainability after engaging with Vet Sustain.

Engagement with Vet Sustain leads to direct changes in veterinary practices, including improved waste reduction, carbon footprint tracking, and better use of medicines for parasite control.

Vet Sustain’s carbon literacy training is particularly influential, equipping professionals with practical tools and increasing their confidence in implementing sustainable practices.

74% of participants agree that Vet Sustain will have a lasting positive impact on their work or approach to sustainability.

Interviewees highlighted how Vet Sustain created a supportive professional community, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The report illustrated how Vet Sustain drives impact: By providing resources, courses, and engagement opportunities, Vet Sustain increases knowledge, which boosts confidence, empowerment, and a sense of community. This confidence fuels advocacy and outreach, driving further engagement and creating a positive feedback loop between confidence and change. New recruits from advocacy may engage with Vet Sustain directly or gain knowledge through outreach. The cogs diagram (below) symbolises how Vet Sustain (small cog) drives broader change (large cog). The model aligns with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where meeting psychological, safety, and social needs (through confidence and belonging) creates the foundation for action and change.

The research also highlighted a need for us to broaden Vet Sustain’s reach beyond those already engaged in sustainability, i.e., we need to reach beyond the 'echo chamber', and strengthen partnerships with veterinary schools and professional associations. Respondents suggested that offering more practical incentives, such as cost-saving benefits, and better understanding the engagement level of the audience, could help us to attain our goals.

Overall, the report concluded that we are successfully working towards our mission, by supporting veterinary professionals with the tools and confidence to integrate sustainable practices into their work. Our organisation has always had people and passion at its heart, and while we learn from and adapt in line with the report's recommendations to broaden our reach beyond our existing network, we recognise the dedication and expertise of our directors, working group Chairs and members, commercial supporters, and valued team for helping our small organisation to make our mark on the veterinary professions over the past 5 years.

There has never been a more pressing time for all professional groups to find ways to leverage their unique roles in response to the societal and planetary challenges we face, and Vet Sustain will continue our valued work and learn from regular evaluations to ensure we are maximising our impact where its needed most in the years to come.

Vet Sustain would like to sincerely thank Edinburgh Innovations at The University of Edinburgh for funding this project through their Inspire Launch Grow Awards 2024, and the Human Behaviour Change for Life team for conducting this valuable research.