Animal Agriculture, Climate Change, and Animal Welfare

Animal agriculture contributes significantly to climate change, which in turn is one of the greatest emerging threats to animal welfare globally through habitat loss, temperature stress, and ecosystem disruption.

Key Facts

Animal agriculture accounts for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to the FAO
Methane from ruminant digestion is a particularly potent greenhouse gas
Climate change is expanding the geographic range of animal diseases and parasites
Ocean acidification and warming directly harm marine animal welfare and survival
Reducing meat and dairy consumption is one of the highest-impact individual climate actions

Welfare Considerations

The relationship between animal agriculture and climate change creates a complex feedback loop with animal welfare at its centre. Industrial animal farming emits greenhouse gases that drive climate change; climate change then threatens the welfare of wild animals through habitat destruction, temperature extremes, and ecosystem disruption. It also threatens the welfare of farm animals through increased heat stress, disease pressure, and nutritional challenges. Addressing the welfare and climate crises together requires systemic change to food systems, which serves both human wellbeing and animal welfare simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Reduce consumption of animal products, particularly beef and lamb with the highest emissions
Choose animal products from low-carbon farming systems such as pasture-based and silvopasture
Advocate for food policy that internalises the climate and welfare costs of animal agriculture
Support plant-based protein development as a welfare and climate win
Engage with the connection between climate action and animal welfare in your advocacy