Climate change is intensifying heat stress in livestock — causing significant welfare harm and production losses that the agricultural sector must address through adaptation measures.
Livestock heat stress is a welfare issue that intersects with climate change in deeply concerning ways. Animals in agricultural systems have limited ability to self-regulate their thermal environment — they depend entirely on management decisions about housing, ventilation, water access, and cooling systems. As temperatures rise due to climate change, the frequency and severity of heat stress events will increase, affecting billions of farm animals who cannot escape inadequate conditions. Heat stress causes real suffering: panting, reduced activity, increased vulnerability to disease, reproductive failure, and in severe cases death. Adaptation measures exist and are proven, but their adoption requires investment and regulatory pressure.