Farm Animal Welfare

Livestock Welfare Under Climate Change

Climate change is creating new and intensified welfare challenges for livestock globally, requiring adaptive management strategies.

Key Facts

Heat stress reduces dairy cow milk production by up to 25% in hot conditions
Feed quality and availability are increasingly affected by climate variability
Extreme weather events including floods and fires kill millions of livestock annually
New disease vectors are moving poleward as temperatures rise
Climate-resilient breeds and management practices are being developed

Welfare Considerations

Climate change is not just an environmental issue but a profound animal welfare challenge. Rising temperatures, increased disease pressure, and extreme weather events all compound existing welfare problems for billions of farm animals. Transitioning to more resilient farming systems, including appropriate breed selection and reduced stocking densities, will be essential to maintain welfare standards as the climate changes.

What You Can Do

Support climate action as an animal welfare issue
Advocate for climate adaptation plans to include livestock welfare provisions
Choose animal products from climate-resilient farming systems
Support research into climate-adapted breeds and management practices