Course Overview

Designed for veterinarians and paraprofessionals, this self-paced online course will empower participants to drive sustainable changes needed at a practice level, and to lead conversations – for the benefit of the animals under our care, our communities, wildlife and the wider environment.

  • Designed to fit around busy work and life schedules

  • Suitable for all roles within the veterinary profession

  • Primarily companion animal focused, although the principles are applicable to all spheres of clinical practice

  • Create an environmental management system for your workplace - including policies, audits and action plans

  • 10 modules equivalent to 35 hours of CPD

  • Available to purchase all 10 modules as a one-off payment, or to purchase in 3 parts, splitting the payments over 18 months

  • Upon completion of all 10 modules, attain a LANTRA accredited certificate

This course offers a step-by-step guide to action sustainability in veterinary practice

Explore carbon footprinting, policy making, the carbon 'pawprint' of pet ownership, sustainability in the operating theatre, resource use and procurement, responsible use of medicines, waste management and understanding behavioural change

Find out more

What Students Can Expect From The Course

  • Discussion Forums

    Students will have the opportunity to join and interact with a community of like minded veterinary professionals taking the course at the same time

  • Online Tutorials

    Option to attend live (recorded) online tutorials at the beginning, middle and end of the course to consolidate the learning material, address specific questions and participate in discussions

  • LANTRA Certificate

    Upon completion of the course and submission of an assignment successful students will receive a LANTRA accredited certificate

Hear what those who have joined the course have to say:

I have found it incredibly interesting and informative!

Judy Scrine, Veterinary Surgeon and Member BVA Electoral College

"Having worked through half the course so far, I have found it incredibly interesting and informative. It is helping me to fill in the many gaps in my knowledge about sustainability, and is also allowing me to be much better prepared to enter into meaningful climate change conversations and to fulfil my role as chair of the Vet Sustain Equine Subgroup. I have already been inspired to make a significant number of changes in my own sphere and feel I now have the information to encourage others to do the same. Not to mention satisfying all 35 hours of my CPD requirement in one chunk! Thank you Vet Sustain for this amazing opportunity."

An excellent course!

Helen Gould, Vet & Old Hall Vets Practice Owner.

"An excellent course. Really well put together. Very accessible and full of interesting and pertinent information all of which is of immediate use as we strive to make the vet profession more sustainable."

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Am I eligible to sign up for the course?

  • This course is primarily companion animal focussed, although the principles are applicable to all clinical practices. All members of the vet-led team are welcome to enrol on the course, there is some scientific content throughout the course but learners should not find this too challenging.

  • How much is the course?

  • The full price of the course will be £1,250 +VAT per student. Overseas (non-UK) businesses may be eligible for a non-VAT price of £1,250, please contact us for more information. We are now able to offer 3 installment payments which can be spread over 18 months.

  • How long with the course take me to complete?

  • We expect each module to take around 3 hours to complete. As this is a self-paced course, participants can access the content around their work/life schedules. We expect most participants to complete all 10 modules within 10-12 months, however we provide access to course content for up to 18 months post-registration. In addition there are a number of deep dives and a list of further reading for those interested in a particular area or wishing to expand their knowledge further. We highly recommend diarising regular study sessions to keep progressing through the course content.

  • How much support with I have during the course?

  • There will be a live (and recorded) tutorial with the community and course organisers at the beginning, middle and end of the course to consolidate the learning material, address specific questions and participate in discussions. Students will also join a community of veterinary professionals all taking the course at the same time, to help each other along the way.

  • What do I need to accomplish in order to complete the course and receive my LANTRA accredited certificate?

  • During the course there will be tasks and quick quizzes to solidify learning throughout the course. In order to receive the LANTRA accredited certificate for completing the course, you are also required to complete an assignment. You will accumulate all the knowledge you require during the course to complete this assignment. In the assignment, you should formulate a strategy for driving sustainability within your clinical veterinary business. Consideration must be given as to how to effect cultural change, create an environmental management system and ensure continuous improvement in environmental performance long term. LANTRA certification is only available to learners once all 3 parts of the course, and the final assignment have been completed.

Meet our Course Authors

Zoe Halfacree

MA VetMB CertVDI CertSAS FHEA DipECVS FRCVS.

Zoë is a veterinary surgeon with a passion for environmental sustainability. She is a European specialist in small animal veterinary surgery (Soft Tissue) and works at Davies Veterinary Specialists, Linnaeus. Zoë previously worked at the Royal Veterinary College and has provided training to other veterinary professionals via lecturing nationally and internationally, publishing scientific papers and writing book chapters. Zoë was awarded the Fellowship of The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in August 2021 for meritorious contribution to clinical veterinary practice. She is a subject matter expert for Sustainability on the Linnaeus Clinical Board. Zoë is a Director of Vet Sustain and was Chair of the Greener Veterinary Practice working group from 2020 to 2022. Zoë has completed the Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership course in Business Sustainability in 2020 and is currently completing a Masters course in Sustainability and Behaviour Change at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Wales. Zoë was recognised as the Green Individual of the year by Webinar Vet in 2023 for her work in sustainability in clinical practice.
Zoe Halfacree

Becky Sedman

BVSc MRCVS

Becky graduated from Liverpool in 2018 and currently works for a small animal referral hospital in Yorkshire. She previously completed the Business Sustainability Management course with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, worked as the Sustainability Advisor for VetPartners and was a previous Chair of the Vet Sustain Greener Veterinary Practice working group. Becky has practical experience of implementing an environmental management system in a large first opinion veterinary hospital whereby they successfully achieved the highest level Investors in the Environment award. She has delivered a number of webinars and presentations on the topic of sustainability at veterinary conferences and universities.
Becky Sedman

Jen Gale

BVetMed Dip Coaching(Hons) MRCVS

Jen qualified in 2004 from the Royal Veterinary College and worked in small animal practice for over 10 years. She is the founder of Sustainable(ish) - a platform all about empowering and inspiring ‘ordinary non-greenies’ to take imperfect eco-action, and is the author of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide and The Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting. Jen is a qualified coach and a certified Carbon Literacy trainer, as well as Vet Sustain Director.
Jen Gale

About Vet Sustain

Vet Sustain supports veterinary professionals to become leading forces for sustainability

Vet Sustain is a not-for-profit community interest company on a mission to inspire and enable members of the veterinary professions to drive change for a more sustainable future. Vet Sustain produces the tools, training, communications and advocacy centred around our six Veterinary Sustainability Goals, to help veterinary professionals and teams to continually improve the health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment through their day-to-day work. We seek to contribute to global food strategy, particularly around animal health and welfare and sustainable agriculture, and develop relationships and networks, to build capacity and collaborate globally.
Visit the Vet Sustain Website