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Sustainability

The University of Liverpool takes sustainability incredibly seriously and we have committed that by 2035, at the latest, we will hit net zero carbon and we will reduce our waste by 50% by 2025. We also want to make sure that every student will have the opportunity to undertake sustainable learning and that all staff get suitable training.

What is the University of Liverpool doing?

For more details see the University of Liverpool Sustainability website, packed with lots of ways for everyone to get involved. You can download the university’s Climate Plan if you would like to know and understand the priorities and steps being taken in our journey to net zero. And do keep up to date with the latest News about what is going on!

What is the School of Veterinary Science doing?

The School of Veterinary Science is particularly invested in sustainability, with academic representation on the Vet Sustain Vet Curriculum working group, academic and student sustainability champions and sustainability representatives in the ongoing veterinary science curriculum review process.

The School’s Sustainability working group works closely with the University of Liverpool’s sustainability team and the student body to ensure we are getting everyone involved.

There are many things individuals can do, such as signing up to the BVA pledge and volunteering to be sustainability champions. There is a Liverpool Veterinary Sustainability Society (LVSS) that students can join to find out more about how they can contribute to the planning and delivery of ongoing sustainability projects. The veterinary hospitals have reviewed their procedures and have made several changes based on the greener practice checklist but this is a constant process to ensure we continuously strive to reduce waste and run sustainable operations.

The School also has its own Environmental Policy (Word document, 108KB) aimed at complementing that of the University of Liverpool.

What are the School of Veterinary Sciences' priorities?

Because we recognise the urgency of the current global climate emergency and in view of the important role our profession holds in facing this challenge, the School of Veterinary Science has a dedicated Sustainability working group, ensuring we contribute actively to the University’s net zero pledge by 2035. We have identified the following 5 key areas to focus our ongoing work:

  1. Embed sustainability across the veterinary science curriculum
  2. Improve student and staff engagement and provide specific sustainability training
  3. Biodiversity
  4. Sustainable Travel (see our Cycling to Leahurst guide)
  5. Sustainable research and research labs

Do we teach sustainability?

We also want to ensure that sustainability is incorporated into every part of our veterinary curriculum. As veterinary surgeons, we hold many important roles as we are closely involved with different sectors and procedures that hold significant impact such as food production, farming, antimicrobial resistance and medicine residue impacts on the environment. The School of Veterinary Science is currently undertaking a large curriculum review and sustainability is a central topic that will be considered for discussion throughout all aspects of the veterinary science degree.

Greener labs and research

As an academic institution, we pride ourselves in also carrying out high-impact research. The University of Liverpool is strongly encouraging and supporting all of its research labs to work towards attaining LEAF awards over the coming years. LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency and Assessment Framework) is a green initiative developed by University College London (UCL) to improve the sustainability and efficiency of laboratories and other spaces; many of our labs have already achieved the bronze award and will continue to work until they become eligible for Gold.

How to get involved

The School of Veterinary Science Sustainability working group will continue to review all our procedures and strive to contribute to the University’s net zero target and deliver improvements in the 5 key areas identified as more pressing priorities. If you have any ideas, suggestions or comments for the working group to consider please send an email to vet-sustainability@liverpool.ac.uk  

We would also like to encourage everyone to look at the main University of Liverpool Sustainability pages on how to get involved and think about what we can all do to become more sustainable.