This October we're launching a month of sustainable action: ZerOctober!
Together, as a profession, we can take action towards a sustainable, thriving planet: pawfect for us and the animals we love! Join us for ZerOctober and let's leave a lasting legacy for generations to come
From simple everyday changes to larger community initiatives, everyone can play a part in ZerOctober!
It's easy to participate!
We are inviting you, and your practice, to choose at least ONE activity in each of the categories below.
Then, please share your results with us by completing this 5 minute Q&A:
Join the Movement!
If YOU have ideas, time, or skills to contribute, consider volunteering with us and join the ZerOctober team!
ZerOctober is a Vets for Climate Action initiative to promote more sustainable veterinary care, and celebrate the benefits of moving the veterinary profession towards Zero!
August is well established as dental care month in the veterinary profession, so let’s put the same energy into making October the month of veterinary sustainability: ZerOctober
This is an opportunity for veterinary teams and industry professionals to share ideas, celebrate success and promote the benefits of sustainability and a path to Zero in order to ensure a better future for animal health.
The United Nations defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainability in veterinary practice refers to strategies and actions that reduce the profession’s environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions, conserve resources, and support long-term ecological balance.
Net zero means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with the amount removed from the atmosphere, effectively reducing our carbon footprint to zero. Picture a set of scales with greenhouse gas emissions on one side, and our actions to reduce these seeking to balance it on the other.
By integrating these principles, ZerOctober will drive meaningful change across our industry.
Click here to read the Climate Council's explainer on Net Zero
The benefits to you and your team participating in ZerOctober are many, including:
- It reinforces your team's purpose: ZerOctober is about positive action for a better future for animal health
- By setting goals your team can work towards, you build team engagement
- You can unlock the benefits and savings of cheaper, more environmentally-friendly technologies
- It is an opportunity to undertake a systems review and make improvements
- Reducing waste and energy use will deliver savings, and
- You will build client value not just caring for their pets, but the future of all animals.
We know veterinary teams are committed to animal welfare, animal and human health, and the community.
Climate change is the biggest threat to all of these.
Climate change impacts:
- animal health and welfare
- global food supply
- biosecurity
- One Health
- biodiversity; and
- extinctions
(just to name a few.)
Animals are already experiencing the consequences of extreme weather events and climate pollution, and vet teams are on the front line.
ZerOctober is our opportunity to lead by example.
As one of the most trusted professions in Australia, the community looks to veterinarians on issues of animal health.
With two thirds of the Australian public owning or caring for animals, by using our voice, and leading by example through our actions, we have a huge opportunity to educate the Australian public about the impact of climate change on the animals we love and care for, and show how we can be part of the solution.
From simple everyday changes to larger community initiatives, everyone can play a part in ZerOctober!
We are inviting you, and your practice, to choose at least ONE activity in each of the categories below.
Then, please share your results with us by completing this 5 minute Q&A:
Join the Movement!
If YOU have ideas, time, or skills to contribute, consider volunteering with us and join the ZerOctober team!