World Animal Protection has launched a new campaign calling
for a shift away from industrial animal agriculture, calling for an urgent reform to
global food systems in preparation for COP 30.
The organisation is advocating for a more sustainable,
humane, and equitable global food system to address climate change,
biodiversity loss, and public health concerns.
External Affairs Lead at World Animal Protection, Sally
Kahiu, explained the need for change, emphasising the environmental and
societal impacts of industrial farming.
“Our global food system, particularly industrial animal
agriculture, accelerates biodiversity loss, depletes water resources, and
contributes to public health crises,” said Kahiu.
She added that the current system compromises animal welfare
on a massive scale.
“We are at a critical juncture, and it is time for world
leaders to act on building a food system that prioritises people, animals, and
the planet over profit,” she urged.
The campaign calls for phasing out industrial factory farming
in favour of small- and medium-scale diversified farms.
World Animal Protection argues that such a transition is
crucial for meeting global climate commitments, such as those outlined in the
Paris Agreement, while ensuring the protection of both human and animal
welfare.
World Animal Protection’s research highlights a significant
challenge: food system emissions could undermine efforts to limit global
warming to 1.5°C, even if fossil fuel emissions are fully eliminated.
“We are calling for a 50% reduction in global emissions from
animal production by 2030,” Kahiu stated.
The organisation also advocates for a shift toward
plant-based diets and agroecological practices, particularly in high-consuming
countries.
Further elaborating on the dangers of industrial
agriculture, Kahiu warned of the increasing risks of zoonotic diseases and
antibiotic resistance.
“The rise in diseases like avian flu and antibiotic
resistance is are direct consequence of the way we treat animals in industrial
farming systems,” she noted.
As COP 30 approaches, World Animal Protection continues to
mobilise support, working with civil society, Indigenous groups, and
sustainable farming networks to build a just, resilient, and climate-safe food
system.
