Welfare Science

Farm Animal Welfare in Climate-Smart Agriculture

Climate-smart farming approaches must integrate animal welfare alongside carbon reduction and productivity goals to deliver genuinely sustainable outcomes.

Key Facts

Livestock production contributes approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Higher welfare systems are sometimes lower-carbon due to avoided intensive inputs
Methane from ruminants is a major target but reduction strategies vary in welfare impact
Precision livestock technology can optimise feed efficiency while monitoring welfare
Carbon sequestration through managed grazing can coexist with high welfare standards

Welfare Considerations

Climate targets and animal welfare goals should be complementary, not competing. Solutions that reduce emissions while improving animal welfare (such as reducing overproduction, improving efficiency, and eliminating high-suffering systems) offer double dividends.

What You Can Do

Support agricultural policies that integrate welfare and environmental criteria
Reduce meat consumption to address both climate and welfare impacts simultaneously
Advocate for climate funding that rewards welfare-positive practices
Learn about the welfare implications of different climate mitigation livestock strategies