VetPartners, which owns some of the most respected and trusted veterinary practices and animal healthcare businesses across the UK and Europe, won the Best Social Impact award at the Investors in the Environment (iiE) awards.
One of its practices, St Peter’s Vets in Petersfield, won the Best Carbon Reduction award, while Pet Cremation Services North East in East Boldon, near Sunderland, was named as Best Newcomer.
The iiE awards celebrate the success of businesses which are part of its national sustainability accreditation scheme designed to help organisations reduce their impact on the environment.
VetPartners Group Head of ESG Hannah James said: “This was an incredibly well-deserved win for the teams at St Peter’s and PCS. Both teams have worked hard to reduce their carbon emissions by carefully planning travel and resource use and implementing a range of simple energy-saving measures that have added up to a huge impact. Their dedication and enthusiasm are really inspiring, and I’m so pleased they’ve been recognised.
“I’m also thrilled that VetPartners has won the social impact award. I’m constantly amazed by the amount of time, skill and effort that our colleagues put into fundraising and volunteering for great causes. Our new overseas volunteering grant scheme has helped even more of our vets and nurses to lend their expertise to charities all over the world.”
The awards:
Best Social Impact - VetPartners
VetPartners has raised more than £1million for charity and worthy causes over the last five years, with colleagues’ fundraising efforts matched either fully or partially by the business. Through World Land Trust, it has helped to purchase and protect 1064 acres of wildlife habitat. VetPartners also introduced an annual paid volunteering day for colleagues and offers grants to vets and veterinary nurses to fund volunteering with overseas charities needing clinical support.
Best Carbon Reduction - St Peter’s Vets
St Peter’s Vets reduced CO2 emissions by 5.05 tonnes since last year which is an 8.11% absolute reduction on their annual carbon footprint. By altering shift patterns, grouping mobile vet visits and thoughtful route planning, they have reduced travel emissions, and ‘greener anaesthesia’ training has helped to reduce their use of anaesthetic gases. Other energy saving measures include installing radiator reflectors, lagging on hot water pipes and responsible thermostat control.
Best Newcomer - PCS North East
PCS achieved iiE silver accreditation by introducing environmentally friendly measures. Through changing shift patterns, they managed to save 15 hours of energy usage per week, resulting in a 23% reduction in gas use since their baseline year. Other highlights include a substantial reduction in resource use, resulting in a decrease in CO2 emissions, implementing a detailed waste management plan, and reducing mileage with pre-planned routes. They also created a new flower garden with greenery and a bee hotel to support biodiversity.
