Animal Welfare and Climate Policy: Aligned Interests

Climate change and animal welfare are deeply interconnected. Many actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions also reduce animal suffering, creating powerful aligned interests for advocates in both domains.

Key Facts

Animal agriculture is responsible for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to FAO.
Shifting global diets toward plant-based foods would reduce food-related emissions by 50-70% and improve animal welfare simultaneously.
Climate change is increasing heat stress in livestock and wild animals in warming regions.
Ocean acidification from CO2 absorption threatens marine animal welfare through shell dissolution and ecosystem disruption.
Rewilding and reforestation that stores carbon also restores wildlife habitat, improving welfare for wild populations.

Welfare Considerations

The alignment between climate action and animal welfare creates opportunities for coalition-building across movements. Reducing consumption of high-emission animal products — beef, lamb, dairy — simultaneously reduces greenhouse gas emissions and farm animal welfare harm. Protecting forests prevents carbon release and protects wildlife habitat. Rewilding restores ecosystems while sequestering carbon. These aligned interests make animal welfare a compelling component of climate advocacy and climate action a compelling component of animal welfare advocacy. Recognizing and communicating these connections strengthens both movements.

What You Can Do

Reduce beef and lamb consumption — these have the highest combined welfare and climate impact.
Support climate policies that also address animal agriculture emissions.
Engage with climate advocacy organizations on the animal welfare dimensions of dietary change.
Support rewilding and forest protection as aligned climate and welfare interventions.
Communicate the aligned interests between climate action and animal welfare to expand both movements.