Committing to a more sustainable future for eye care

Optometry Australia has commissioned a Sustainability Roadmap to target waste, carbon and eco-awareness challenges within the optometry sector, and chart a new course towards a more sustainable future for eye care.  

Director of Optometry Advancement, Sarah Davies, said this commitment is one the key objectives of Optometry Australia’s 2021-24 Shared Strategic Plan.

‘We are committed to exploring and developing initiatives in response to emerging evidence on the impact of climate change, specifically on optometry and eye health,’ Ms Davies said. 

 

‘Australia’s health sector, including optometry, has a role in both climate change mitigation and adaptation, and in reducing its overall environmental impacts, which is why we partnered with sustainability agency Edge Impact to commission the Sustainability Roadmap.’

The roadmap identifies environmental targets and action issues that are important for the eye health sector, while drawing insights from a variety of resources, including extensive sector research, carbon footprint and waste audits, stakeholder interviews, focus groups and workshops.  

Identifying key environmental ‘hotspots’ 

 The Sustainability Roadmap identifies three key environmental ‘hotspot’ areas within the optometry sector that need to be addressed: 

Waste 

Practitioners, optometrists and consumers face significant waste challenges, ranging from e-waste to packaging, manufacturing waste. The roadmap identifies the need to minimise waste to landfill, improving circular solutions and designing out waste within the industry. 

Carbon

In response to the growing global concern of carbon emissions, the roadmap addresses carbon intensity issues within the optometry sector. Proposed initiatives under this hotspot area include improving understanding, identifying reduction opportunities and addressing carbon intensity burdens.

Sustainability Knowledge

The roadmap highlights the lack of sustainability knowledge within the optometry sector. It recommends the profession support initiatives which empower optometrists and consumers to drive change and reduce environmental impacts.  

Addressing these ‘hotspots’ 

 To address these identified hotspots, the roadmap proposes four action levers for change:  

1. Collaboration: Aim to work together with several different stakeholder groups (manufacturers, suppliers, optometrists, etc.) to establish circular design standards, create transparency and provide circular and recycling options. 
2. Future-fit spaces: Creating future-fit spaces to improve waste, carbon and sustainability knowledge on a practice level, and design spaces for efficiency. 
3. Proactive purchasing: Making proactive and informed purchasing decisions that integrate sustainability criteria is pivotal to reducing waste and emission within the supply chain, and choosing better materials. 
4. Engaged people: Empowering people to grow their knowledge of environmental sustainability.  

Ms Davies says the Sustainability Roadmap signals a step towards a greener, more responsible future for the optometry and eye care sector. 

‘The roadmap identifies areas for priority action for all stakeholders across optometry and community eye health. We believe that the healthcare sector, including optometry, is uniquely placed to lead and accelerate efforts towards mitigating the impact of climate change, and reduce its impacts on the environment. 

‘Optometry Australia will seek to collaborate with colleagues across the eye health sector, as well as those working in the broader climate action and health space such as the Climate and Health Alliance, to ensure our work is aligned, and coordinated with other efforts.

‘In response to the Roadmap recommendations, we are working with key industry stakeholders to understand the initiatives already underway that seek to address waste and carbon emission ‘hotspots’. More information about these initiatives will be shared with members via our communication channels throughout 2024, as we aim to raise awareness amongst the profession of the innovative activities underway in our sector.’ 

Optometry Australia has also further engaged Edge Environment to support the development of practical resources which will support members to take meaningful action within their individual practice environment.  

Download the Sustainability Roadmap report here. For any questions about this area of Optometry Australia’s strategic plan, members are encouraged to contact our Optometry Advancement team, at policy@optometry.org.au.