Climate Change Hub

The Critical Link Between Climate Change and Animal Protection

Factory farming is a leading culprit in driving climate change. The scale of industrial animal agriculture—where animals are confined to cruel, overcrowded conditions—comes with a massive environmental toll.

The industry's heavy reliance on crops grown to feed livestock results in widespread deforestation, especially in critical regions like the Amazon. These practices not only release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere but also devastate vital wildlife habitats and threaten biodiversity. At the same time, factory farms are responsible for the suffering of billions of animals who live short, painful lives.

This urgent crisis calls for a transformation in how we produce and consume food, with an emphasis on humane, sustainable practices.

The Role of Factory Farming in Climate Change

The intensive, resource-hungry business model of factory farming is wreaking havoc on our environment. Without global trade in unsustainable animal feed crops, factory farming would crumble.

To combat climate change and protect animals, we need to reduce global animal protein production and consumption. Our call to action is clear: halve global animal protein consumption by 2040. This is not just about protecting the environment—it’s about protecting the animals, people, and communities that depend on a just and sustainable food system.

World Animal Protection is committed to driving this change, but we need your support. Governments, businesses, journalists, and individuals all have a role to play in shaping the future of our food system.

Goverment Action on Animal Agriculture

At World Animal Protection, we’ve been working to raise awareness and drive change at the highest levels. We’ve attended every COP since COP26, pushing for climate action that accounts for animal welfare and the need to transition to humane, sustainable food systems.

The current global food system—dominated by industrial meat production—is unsustainable. It’s time for national governments, particularly in high-meat consuming countries, to set stronger Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that address the urgent need to transform food systems. This transformation must not only mitigate climate change but also protect food security, safeguard biodiversity, and improve animal welfare.

Sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives to factory farming

Governments must adopt policies that cap the expansion of factory farming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect wildlife habitats, and reduce the suffering of billions of animals each year.

A “Just Transition” is needed—one that shifts away from industrial animal agriculture and invests in sustainable, humane alternatives like agroecological systems. By redirecting subsidies and increasing financial support for these systems, we can create a future where food production is equitable, sustainable, and cruelty-free.