One Health

Livestock Farming Reform: Climate and Welfare Together

Reducing livestock production intensity addresses both climate change and animal welfare simultaneously, creating a powerful dual-benefit case for reform.

Key Facts

Livestock account for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Reducing meat consumption is one of the most significant individual climate actions available
High-welfare livestock systems often have lower environmental footprint per animal
Reducing total livestock numbers would reduce both emissions and animal suffering at scale
Plant-rich diets are consistently shown to reduce climate footprint and animal welfare harm

Welfare Considerations

The climate and animal welfare cases for livestock reform are mutually reinforcing. Intensive livestock production causes enormous animal suffering while producing significant emissions. Transitioning to lower-production, higher-welfare systems or plant-based food systems reduces both harms simultaneously. Framing livestock reform as a climate action gives it broader political and social resonance beyond the animal welfare community.

What You Can Do

Reduce meat and dairy consumption for both climate and welfare reasons
Support policies that align climate and animal welfare objectives
Choose higher-welfare animal products when consuming animal foods
Advocate for agricultural subsidies to reward both welfare improvements and lower emissions