Turning veterinary expertise into practical action for animals and the environment.
What we do
The Australian Veterinary Environmental Alliance (AVEA) unites veterinarians, vet nurses, animal-health professionals, industry partners and scientists to protect the animals we love and the environment we share. We exist because animals can’t act on the threats they face — but the people and industries that rely on them can. Together, we turn veterinary expertise into action through practical programs, education, advocacy and community engagement.
Practical Programs
Making sustainability easy for vets through our Climate Care Program, Sustainable Equine Futures program, and ZerOctober, our month of sustainability.
Education
Environmental and sustainability education for the veterinary profession and the public – Climate, Sustainability, Biodiversity and One Health.
Advocacy
Community engagement and policy recommendations for industry and government. Media for public awareness.
The veterinary profession is where science becomes care.
Vets, vet nurses and animal-health specialists don’t just touch every companion animal — they touch every Australian. 73% of Australian households have a pet; more than 95% of us eat meat or dairy; and tourism, drawn heavily by the wildlife and landscapes vets help protect, contributes $81 billion to the economy each year. Together with the biosecurity that keeps the country safe, this is where the veterinary profession works — at the meeting point of science, animals, industry and the environment. No other profession sits at this intersection — which is why AVEA is uniquely placed to act.
Looking for a vet that takes sustainability seriously?
Healthy animals need a healthy environment. Find a clinic near you that’s working hard towards sustainability goals like emissions and waste reduction through AVEA’s Climate Care, Sustainable Equine Futures and ZerOctober programs.
AVEA's Ambassadors and Key Supporters
Prof Peter Doherty, Patron
Nobel Laureate, Veterinarian and Patron of AVEA and WVEA.
Click here to see Peter Doherty discuss AVEA.
Prof Mark Howden, Ambassador
AC FAA FTSE Australian National University, Vice Chair of IPCC Working Group II. Shared Nobel recipient.
Prof Richard Eckard, Ambassador
WEVA Ambassador, Professor of Carbon Farming, University of Melbourne, and a Program Leader, Net Zero Agriculture CRC
Dr Finola McConaghy, Ambassador
BVSc (Medal), DipVetClinStud, PhD
Dr Helen Scott-Orr, Ambassador
AM PSM, BVSc (Hons) DipBact (Lond) MANCVS (Epidemiology), Former Inspector-General Biosecurity Australia, Former CVO of NSW, Exec Director NSW Dept Primary Industries
Dr Mark Schipp, Ambassador
Former Chief Vet Australia, Former President WOAH,
WVA Asia Pacific Councillor and One Health Committee Chair,
CVA Councillor.
Dr Jeremy Watson
Chair, Climate Care Program Advisory Committee. Brimbank Veterinary Clinic, Australia’s first carbon-neutral veterinary clinic.
Dr Catherine Chicken
BVSc (Hons), PhD, MANZCVS, DipVCS. Consultant Veterinarian, Scone Equine Hospital; Sustainable Equine Futures.
Dr Michael Banyard
OAM, Australian Veterinary Association Fellow and Former President. Florey Fellow.
Dr Jeannet Kessels
Founder of Vets for Climate Action, AVEA and WVEA. Founder, Greater Springfield Veterinary Group.
Dr Catherine Harper
Chair, AVEA Board. Veterinarian and owner, Barossa Veterinary Service.
Mr Frank Shadforth
Garawa cattleman and owner, Seven Emu Station, NT. Advocate for conservation agriculture and Indigenous land stewardship.
Mr Ray Dimakarri Dixon
Mudburra Traditional Owner, musician and community leader. Marlinja, near Elliott, NT.
Dr Liza Schneider
Co-founder of SustainaVet. Founder and Director, Holistic Vets and ARRC Wildlife Trust, New Zealand.
Dr Robyn Alders AO
Honorary Professor, Australian National University and Tufts University. Veterinarian and global food and nutrition security expert.
Mr Ray Dimakarri Dixon
Indigenous Leader - Elliott, NT
We thank our Alliance Members & Corporate Partners
Veterinary professionals working together worldwide
AVEA is the Australian member of the World Veterinary Environmental Alliance. Our team includes veterinarians and their colleagues, industry professionals and scientists — including our patron Professor Peter Doherty AC: a veterinarian, Nobel Prize winner and former Australian of the Year — as well as a dedicated team of Australian volunteers.
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