Global Animal Welfare Future Priorities - 2027 Outlook

A forward-looking assessment of the most important animal welfare priorities for the coming years, including emerging challenges and opportunities.

Key Facts

Cultivated meat could eliminate slaughter welfare problems for hundreds of millions of animals if adoption scales
Climate change will create new welfare challenges through heat stress, disease emergence, and habitat loss
Antibiotic resistance legislation is driving production system changes with mixed welfare implications
AI-enabled monitoring technology has potential to transform welfare assessment across all production systems
Political momentum for welfare reform is stronger in 2026 than any previous period, representing a strategic opportunity

Welfare Considerations

The coming years represent both the greatest challenge and greatest opportunity in the history of animal welfare. The scale of suffering remains immense, but technological, scientific, and political conditions are more favourable than ever for transformative change. Strategic prioritisation, effective advocacy, and ambitious but achievable policy asks are needed to capitalise on this window. Individual action and systemic change both matter.

What You Can Do

Stay informed about animal welfare policy developments through CIWF, RSPCA, and Animal Welfare Institute
Support strategic animal welfare philanthropies that prioritise high-impact interventions
Engage politically during election cycles when welfare commitments can be secured
Reduce personal consumption of animal products most associated with high welfare costs
Share evidence-based animal welfare information with your network to build broader public concern