COP31 Türkiye: Animals can make or break the climate response

Climate action is often linked to energy and transport. But the care that we extend to animals can also make or break the climate response. 

From 9 to 20 November, the World Federation for Animals (WFA) will be at the UN climate conference, COP31, to make that message clear. Improving animal welfare must be a component planned for in the measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

The three things COP31 needs to deliver for people, animals, and the planet

1. Substantive decisions on agriculture and food security

Food systems produce about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Farming animals alone accounts for around 12% of the global total. In turn, farmed animals are increasingly feeling the heat. Up to 75% of the world’s cows, pigs, goats, sheep, and chickens could be exposed to extreme heat stress by 2090 if emissions stay high.  Crowding, poor housing, and long journeys make heat more dangerous for them. Transforming our food systems into sustainable and more humane ones is therefore central to holistic climate action.  

It’s also urgent. The only UNFCCC space dedicated to agriculture and food security, the Sharm el-Sheikh joint work, comes to an end at COP31. Countries at the negotiating table need to deliver guidance for climate action in food and agriculture. 

That guidance should reflect what experts and the science have long called for: repurposing harmful subsidies to support a just transition towards fairer, sustainable and more humane food systems. This should mean better access to climate finance for small-scale farmers and other vulnerable groups, including pastoralists. It should also mean helping farmers meet higher animal welfare standards that are conducive to a more sustainable future. 

2. Recognising that the protection of wild animals belongs in climate action

Wild animals drive natural processes that affect how much carbon ecosystems store and how resilient they are. Grazing, seed dispersal, pollination, predation, and their movement all play a part. Yet, these contributions are rarely reflected in climate policy.

The science, however, has spoken. In June, at the UNFCCC’s mid-year climate talks, we saw the launch of the Scientific Consensus on Wildlife and Climate, calling on governments to include wild animals and their functional roles in climate policy. Today, that Consensus has been supported by more than 350 scientists from around the world. Now it is time for governments to act. 

Since COP30, Zimbabwe and other African leaders have been working on the much-anticipated Wildlife for Climate Declaration. We look forward to hearing from them when it launches at COP31.

3. A just transition that includes agri-food systems

At COP30, governments agreed to develop a just transition mechanism. The decision emphasises the multidimensional nature of just transitions and the need to engage different stakeholders, including rural economy actors, especially smallholder farmers. COP31 is expected to decide how to make the mechanism operational. This is an opportunity for countries to make the multilateral system work for the most vulnerable groups. That includes helping farmers transition to a more humane food system that works for people and animals alike.

Visit our booth 35

From 16 to 19 November, WFA will be at exhibit booth 35 with the Aquatic Life Institute. Stop by to meet our team and learn how protecting animals supports climate action and other Sustainable Development Goals.

Your COP31 event schedule for animals

WFA and partners will host or contribute to the following events. Times are local time in Antalya.

Join us at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye

Whether you are attending COP31 or following from home, we invite you to join us.

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