Animal Welfare and Climate Change: Interconnected Crises

Climate change and animal welfare are deeply interconnected. Extreme weather events harm animals directly, while industrial animal agriculture is a major driver of the climate change that threatens all animals.

Key Facts

Animal agriculture contributes 14.5-18% of global greenhouse gas emissions — more than the entire transport sector
Heat waves are increasing in frequency and severity — farmed animals in intensive housing without cooling face elevated mortality
Wild animals are affected by habitat shifts, drought, flood, and food source disruption caused by climate change
Reducing meat and dairy consumption is identified as one of the most impactful individual climate actions available
Climate-driven extreme weather also increases human-wildlife conflict as animals move in search of resources
A shift toward plant-based food systems would reduce agricultural land use by 75% while feeding the global population

Welfare Considerations

The climate-welfare nexus means that caring about animal welfare and caring about climate change are aligned imperatives. The industrial animal agriculture system that causes most farmed animal suffering is also a primary driver of the climate disruption that will intensify suffering for wild animals globally. Actions that reduce meat and dairy consumption address both problems simultaneously. The most welfare-positive response to climate change at an individual level involves dietary choices, advocacy for climate policy, and support for organizations working on both animal welfare and climate justice.

What You Can Do

Reduce meat and dairy consumption — this is simultaneously one of the highest-impact climate and welfare actions
Support climate policy that addresses agricultural emissions alongside transport and energy
Advocate for inclusion of animal welfare impacts in climate change vulnerability assessments
Support organizations working at the intersection of climate and animal welfare, including the Climate-Animal Welfare Alliance
Consider the climate co-benefits when making welfare-motivated dietary changes — both motivations reinforce the same actions