Summary
Park Veterinary Centre, a fast-growing veterinary practice with branches in Ballymahon, Mullingar, and Athlone, engaged in a Green for Business project to assess and reduce its environmental impact. As the team expanded both its small and large animal services, it also wanted to embed sustainability into its business model.
Challenge
- High diesel usage from fleet servicing rural areas
- Rising energy costs across three locations
- Lack of baseline measurement for carbon emissions
- No current framework for tracking or reducing environmental impact
- Limited awareness of relevant energy efficiency grants and compliance steps
Solution
- AppAdvisor consultants conducted a full carbon audit using a veterinary-specific carbon calculator from Vet Sustain
- Audited energy bills, fleet diesel usage, waste, and general energy costs
- Held site visits and workshops with staff to review impact areas
- Developed a SMART sustainability plan targeting a 20% reduction in emissions
- Recommended actionable strategies:
- Fleet transition to electric vehicles
- LED lighting upgrades and energy-efficient appliances
- Investment in solar PV panels
- Staff engagement and sustainability awareness sessions
- Identified eligibility for the new Energy Efficiency Grant (€5,000 max @ 50% support)
Outcomes
- Annual savings potential:
- €18,958 via EV adoption
- €1,800 from solar energy production
- Projected carbon savings:
- 38 tCO₂e via fleet transition
- 1 tCO₂e via PV installation
- Payback periods:
- 8 years (EV project)
- 3.5 years (PV system)
- A structured roadmap including energy monitoring, supplier review, and future certifications (e.g., ISO 14001)
- Positioned to apply for relevant sustainability grants and implement further green actions over the next 12–24 months
Company Quote:
“This report has helped us see our carbon footprint clearly and gave us realistic actions to become a greener veterinary service without sacrificing care or cost-efficiency.” – Peter McCann, Park Veterinary Centre Ltdork—it’s not generic. It saves us time, cuts waste, and helps the whole team stay in sync, even during busy weeks.”
