Do you have a question about the Climate Care Program? Click on the headings below to see if your question is answered! Otherwise, please reach out to our team via [email protected] or register for a call. We're happy to help!
BOOK A CLIMATE CARE PROGRAM CALL
Climate change makes weather events more extreme and worsens natural disasters. From more intense bushfires that kill iconic wildlife, to increased temperatures that lead to heat stress in beloved pets, to changes in weather patterns that effect livestock – the veterinary community across Australia is on the frontlines of climate change impacts.
We also know that the veterinary profession uses a lot of energy and chemicals, and generates a lot of waste. And while many vet teams are highly motivated to become more environmentally sustainable and take action on climate, workplace challenges make it difficult to achieve this.
As a group of vets, nurses and other animal care professionals, we at Vets for Climate Action have insight into these challenges. We are also experienced communicators and educators, talking with clients and the community every day. We are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between what our colleagues in veterinary teams would like to do, and what they feel equipped to do.
This inspired us to develop a program that provides education on environmental sustainability and makes it easy to implement practical solutions, even in a busy veterinary practice.
For the good of our patients – and ourselves – we need to do what WE can to take the best possible care of the environment, and particularly to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to help bring a halt to climate change.
The Climate Care Program has extensive content and design input from a collaborative team of past and present volunteers including vets, vet nurses, sustainability engineers and specialist tertiary educators who are dedicated to a culture of continuous improvement in a rapidly changing world.
Read more about the program creators and contributors.
The Climate Care Program is open to all members of veterinary practices located within Australia. This includes (but is not limited to): Vets, vet nurses, managers, owners, receptionists, animal attendants, customer care personnel and students on placement.
Head to the registration page on our website and complete the registration form based on your subscription payment preference. Reach out to the team on [email protected] with any questions
While there is no set weekly time commitment, it's anticipated that each module will take approximately two months to complete, and the first introductory module and 6 modules have been designed to take approximately 12 months to complete. The Program is self-directed and based on key adult learning principles which means you can choose how best to manage your time and the tasks within each module. It's paced out to allow you to take the time you need to move through the modules, while also providing you with tasks, actions and opportunities to connect with other Climate Champions through our Climate Care Facebook Community.
As a Climate Champion you'll learn about key aspects of sustainability in veterinary practice, and how making improvements in these areas helps conserve precious natural resources, reduce pollution and, most pressingly, mitigate climate change.
The Climate Care Program comprises an introductory module and six sequential content based modules, each addressing a different sustainability topic. We cover water, waste/recycling, energy, procurement and chemicals. We'll provide guidance about how to get the most out of each module, depending on the time the Climate Champion has available. The program employs a variety of fun learning strategies to engage and inspire you, such as audio/video clips, case studies, Q&A, hotspots, flip cards and how-to-cards to name a few. These strategies provide flexibility yet scaffold and guide learning. Learn more.
Through participating in the Climate Care Program, your practice will experience many benefits including:
Yes! The Climate Care Program is a recognised professional development course with the relevant materials to make a credentialed course eligible for CDP. Read more.
Both pride and satisfaction of making your practice more sustainable and working towards zero emissions AND helping to protect animal habitats and ensuring a healthier ecosystem for all creatures!
And, the Climate Champion and their practice will receive a Certificate of Completion.
In order to complete the program, Climate Champions are required to meet certain minimum engagement criteria. For example: view required content; conduct assessments of their workplace that evaluate and track water and energy usage and waste streams; implement sustainability solutions; share their achievements with their team and clients; and complete regular surveys positioned throughout the modules to provide valuable feedback.
