FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COP29, Baku, Azerbaijan — You are invited to the launch of the Animals for Climate Action tool, an innovative resource designed to empower policymakers to integrate animal welfare into national climate and biodiversity strategies.
This breakthrough solution, developed by the World Federation for Animals, which represents 75 NGOs globally, delivers specific, actionable policy recommendations to harness wild animals’ contributions to carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
Wild animals are crucial for ecosystems to sequester and store carbon effectively. A 2023 study shows that restoring populations of key wildlife species could capture an additional 6.4 gigatons of CO₂ annually — equivalent to 15% of current global emissions. However, our current food production and consumption patterns are converting natural habitats into farmland, pastures, and fishing zones, limiting wild animals’ ability to thrive and reducing ecosystems’ natural carbon sequestration capacity.
Experience a live demonstration of the transformative Animals for Climate Action tool, which offers policymakers:
- Actionable recommendations for wildlife and ecosystem protection
- Guidance on sustainable food production and diet shifts
- Real-world examples to advance both climate and biodiversity goals
WHEN
Tuesday, 19 November 2024. 15:30h – 16:00h AZT/UTC+4
WHERE
Press Conference – Natavan (UNFCCC COP29 Webcast)
KEY SPEAKERS
- Ed Goodall, Head of Intergovernmental Engagement, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)
- Clara Schubert, Farm Animals Policy Officer, FOUR PAWS
- Angel Flores, International External Affairs Manager, World Animal Protection
- Sebastian Osborn, Global Policy Manager, Mercy for Animals
- Silvia Mantilla, Global Policy & Communications Manager, World Federation for Animals
CONTACT
Silvia Mantilla at silvia.mantilla@wfa.org | RSVP at comms@wfa.org
ORGANISERS
FOUR PAWS, Mercy for Animals, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, World Animal Protection, World Federation for Animals
FOUR PAWS – FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. FOUR PAWS’ sustainable campaigns and projects focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats, and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions, as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam, as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org
Mercy for Animals – Mercy For Animals is an international nonprofit organization working to end industrial animal agriculture by constructing a just and sustainable food system. Operating in Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico, Malaysia and the United States, Mercy For Animals uses legal and policy advocacy, corporate campaigns, and public engagement to bring about meaningful change for animals. Mercy for Animals believes that climate action on food systems is important for humans, animals and nature and that a global shift towards plant-based diets—addressing the critical shortfalls in fruit, vegetable, and legume access and consumption and the increasingly excessive animal source food consumption at a global level—is a particularly crucial step towards reducing the suffering of animals, addressing the climate crisis, and achieving sustainable development.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation – Whale and Dolphin Conservation is the leading global charity dedicated to the conservation and protection of whales and dolphins. We defend these remarkable creatures against the many threats they face through campaigns, lobbying, advising governments, conservation projects, field research and rescue. Our vision: A world in which every whale and dolphin is safe and free. whales.org
World Animal Protection – World Animal Protection International World Animal Protection is the global voice for animal welfare, with more than 70 years’ experience campaigning for a world where animals live free from cruelty and suffering. Our work to protect animals will play a vital role in solving the climate emergency, the public health crisis, and the devastation of natural habitats. We have offices in 12 countries and work across 47 countries. We collaborate with local communities, the private sector, civil society, and governments to change animals’ lives for the better. Our goal is to change the way the world works to end animal cruelty and suffering for both wild and farmed animals. Through our global food system strategy, we will end factory farming and create a humane and sustainable food system that puts animals first. By transforming the broken systems that fuel exploitation and commodification, we will give wild animals the right to a wildlife. Together, we will change the way the world works and end animal cruelty and suffering. Forever.
World Federation for Animals – The World Federation for Animals is a global federation of 70+ NGOs working towards the recognition of animal welfare as essential for sustainable development. Our efforts focus on integrating animal welfare into international health, food, and environmental regimes and trade and development finance rules. Established in 2020, this coalition now drives transformational change for animals as a UN-accredited force that harnesses the collective strength of animal protection peers and experts worldwide and influences global decision-making at the UN and other international institutions. We achieve global impact for animals – together.
