BEVA honoured for sustainability efforts
BEVA has seen its carbon emissions fall by 77 per cent since March 2020.
The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has achieved bronze level accreditation from Investors in the Environment, marking the first officially recognised step in its sustainability journey.
Investors in the Environment is an external accreditation scheme designed to help businesses save money and reduce their environmental impact. To achieve accreditation, firms much implement an environmental policy, measure their resource use and set targets to reduce their carbon footprint.
In March 2020, BEVA formed a sustainability group to implement monthly monitoring and develop action plans for utilities, transport, communications, water and purchasing. Since then - and with assistance from the COVID-19 lockdowns - BEVA has seen its carbon emissions fall by 77 per cent.
BEVA chief executive David Mountford commented: “We are immensely proud to have achieved bronze, the first step on the ladder, with a score of 78 per cent. The award reflects our environmental performance across against agreed targets and demonstrates our commitment to minimising its environmental impact and helping to set the standard for the environment.”
BEVA Green Team member Debbie Wylie added: “The process of putting the environmental monitoring plan in place has helped us recognise our wider impacts, such as those relating to volunteer activities. We are now considering how to reduce these wider impacts in addition to the issues that are under more direct control.”
The sustainability group hopes to achieve silver accreditation by the end of 2022.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
