Integrating sustainability in veterinary education

How iiE’s trailblazing collaboration with Surrey University’s School of Veterinary Medicine is empowering graduates to drive green change.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face. But it’s also an opportunity to create a healthier, fairer world in which profit, people, and the planet are valued.

It’s an opportunity the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine is embracing.

Recognising the importance of green skills – defined by the United Nations as ‘the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society’ – the school recently launched a first-of-its-kind sustainability module, with help from Investors in the Environment (iiE).

Thinking globally, acting locally

The compulsory One Health module for fourth-year veterinary students is led by Dr Cait Finnegan, Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine. Back in 2023, she enlisted the help of iiE and community interest company Vet Sustain to develop and deliver the syllabus.

Launched during the second semester of the 2023/24 academic year, the module has a holistic, planetary scope. It explores a range of topics, from environmental impact of veterinary medicine and animal agriculture to infectious disease modelling and surveillance. Pet travel, trade and zoonotic disease, antimicrobial resistance, and alternatives to antibiotics are covered, too.

The module also has an applied, career-focused aspect, designed to equip graduates with the tools to evaluate and improve the environmental performance of the practices they work in.

Identifying environmental management as a key knowledge and skills gap for veterinary professionals, Finnegan and colleague Dr Hannah Davies organised a panel session in March, during which students put their questions to sustainability experts from iiE and Vet Sustain.

This session included three introductory presentations:

• A briefing on the new environmental sustainability module in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Practice Standards Scheme
• An introduction to Vet Sustain’s Greener Veterinary Practice Checklist, Environmental Sustainability Policy Template and Green Procurement List (find all three here)
  
• An overview of the iiE environmental management systems (EMS) framework (watch an introductory video below) and guidance on undertaking a sustainability audit

Applied learning

The panel session complemented an assignment designed by Davies. Using frameworks introduced in the session, students were tasked with conducting audits at one of two Surrey University partner practices: Paragon Veterinary in Cumbria and North Yorkshire’s Bishopton Veterinary Group. Both practices are iiE members.

Supporting materials created by iiE helped students consider key areas of sustainability as they were given virtual tours of the practices. These included a Site Visit Checklist with prompts around environmental policy and leadership, energy and water use and management, waste management, and business and commuter travel.

Identifying successful initiatives, as well as opportunities for improvement, students also considered carbon management, environmental and social impact projects, and stakeholder engagement.

The participating practices have led the way in sustainability, calculating their carbon footprints, reducing waste through embracing the circular economy, and promoting biodiversity locally. They have also been championing responsible medicine and resource use, and active in promoting animal health and welfare in their communities.

A greener profession

The panel session was attended by 127 students. Hailing its success, Dr Finnegan said: “It was truly a wonderful experience for our students – the level of engagement with the topic and tasks exceeded our expectations.”

In recognition of their work developing the new module, Finnegan and Davies were awarded this year’s Environmental Improvement Award by Surrey University’s Sustainability and Estates Operations team. They plan to develop the module further and are delivering it again this academic year (2024/25) to an even bigger cohort of veterinary students.

By integrating sustainability in its curriculum, Surrey University’s School of Veterinary Medicine aims to inspire and empower graduates to drive green change across the veterinary profession.

Cover image designed by FreePik