Vital links between animal welfare and the environmental crises will be formally recognized for the first time at a global level after the adoption of a historic resolution today (Wednesday, March 2) at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5).

At the fifth session of UNEA, in Nairobi, Kenya, a crucial resolution was passed that will help develop a better understanding of the relationship that exists between improving animal welfare and tackling the drivers of wildlife loss, climate change, pollution and pandemic diseases.

What the resolution means

The resolution on the Nexus between Animal Welfare, Environment and Sustainable Development calls on the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Executive Director to prepare a report exploring the link between animal welfare, the environment and sustainable development.

This includes stopping biodiversity loss, restoring ecosystems, reducing climate change, pollution and the risk of new infectious diseases that can pass from animals to humans.

A further resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management was also passed marking an important victory against nitrogen pollution, an enormous planetary challenge. However, it is a missed opportunity that the goal to halve nitrogen waste globally by 2030 was lost in the negotiations.

More work ahead

Eirini Pitsilidi, our Global Head of Food Systems Advocacy, who is on the ground at the Assembly in Nairobi engaging with Member States to raise support for the resolution, said:

This is a momentous decision for animal welfare. Improving animal welfare is vital to securing a sustainable future for animals, people, and the planet, so the adoption of this resolution is hugely significant, although it’s just the beginning. It’s now up to all Member States and UNEP to fully implement the resolution agreed today to ensure the improvement of animal welfare and nature protection at the country level across the globe. We look forward to working with the U.S. on the national implementation.

Ben Williamson, U.S. Executive Director, Compassion in World Farming

Major global movement

Compassion worked as part of a major global movement of animal welfare groups raising support for the adoption of the resolution, under the leadership of Compassion trustee, Josphat Ngonyo and the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), together with the World Federation for Animals and AU-IBAR. Together the groups wrote to environment ministries across the globe urging them to back the resolution, which was universally passed by 193 countries.

The resolution was initiated by the government of Ghana and co-sponsored by six other Member States: Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Pakistan

Read more about the links between animal welfare and the environmental crises.