As the African Climate Change Summit gets underway in Nairobi Kenya animal activities have called upon governments and climate envoys to include animal welfare as part of their discussions.
Further, the climate activities have suggested increasing policy and financial resources for just, humane, and sustainable livestock farming that focuses on agroecological and regenerative approaches.
The call was made at a pre-climate week media briefing held last week, by World Animal Protection and Partners to climate envoys to acknowledge the climate and environmental impact of unsustainable livestock production systems and push for adoption of a transition to humane, sustainable, and regenerative livestock production systems.
At the media briefing, the animal activities noted that Factory farming is almost always overlooked as the climate culprit within the agriculture sector.
In his remarks, Tennyson Williams, Director for Africa at World Animal Protection said, “There is a nexus between animal agriculture and climate change, and this discussion should not be overlooked during climate discussions.
Next week (this week), the whole of Africa will be convening in Nairobi to seek solutions to the climate crisis. We ask them to endorse sustainable livestock farming practices, embrace African traditional food systems, and prioritize local communities’ needs as part of sustainable practices that can guarantee a safer future.”
Dr. Huyian Ahmend Salih The Director for AU – IBAR noted that large-scale deforestation, habitat degradation and fragmentation, agriculture intensification, dilapidating livestock production and trade in animal species and plants are drivers of biodiversity loss and emergence of new diseases.
In addition, she called for strong inter linkage between animal welfare, environment and socioeconomic development and emphasize the need to place Animal Welfare at the centre stage of the Global Environment Agenda and Sustainable Development.
Kenya is co-hosting the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) with the Africa Union Commission in Nairobi from 4th – 6th September 2023.
This Summit will provide a platform to deliberate on the nexus of climate change, Africa’s development reality, and the need to push for increased investment in climate action globally and specifically in
