Baku, Azerbaijan – The World Federation for Animals today launched at COP29 the Animals for Climate Action tool – a pivotal resource that guides policymakers in integrating animal welfare into climate and biodiversity strategies.
This innovative online tool provides practical recommendations for governments to boost their climate resilience and increase their carbon sequestration by safeguarding wild animals and their habitats.
With the support of over 75 animal welfare organisations worldwide, the World Federation for Animals developed the tool to address the critical threats facing wildlife.
The tool delivers actionable solutions, from advancing sustainable food systems to protecting biodiversity, enabling wild animals to thrive and ecosystems to store carbon more effectively. Advice on policy actions to protect and restore wildlife populations, promote sustainable agricultural practices and diets, and enable just transitions away from industrial animal agriculture are also available.
James Yeates, CEO of the World Federation for Animals, said: “Wild animals are essential allies in our fight against climate change, with research showing that restoring the populations of just nine species could capture up to 6.4 gigatons of CO₂ annually. Yet our exploitation of nature and unsustainable food practices severely limit these benefits. Our tool empowers policymakers to take meaningful action to protect wildlife and enhance climate resilience.”
COP29 is especially significant as it marks the last climate conference before the February 2025 deadline for countries to update their Nationally Determined Contributions. The World Federation for Animals is committed to helping countries integrate animal welfare strategies into these crucial updates, ensuring that climate plans are both ambitious and effective.
WFA members including FOUR PAWS, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, World Animal Protection and Mercy for Animals supported the launch.
Ed Goodall, Head of Intergovernmental Engagement at Whale and Dolphin Conservation, said: “Whales and other wild animals have long been viewed as the victims of the climate crisis. Science shows that they play important roles in ecosystems. This new tool from WFA showcases how action to protect, conserve and restore animal populations is in itself, climate action and we look forward to working with countries to embed these policies in their climate and biodiversity strategies.”
Josef Pfabigan, CEO of FOUR PAWS, said: “We are running out of time. Without rapidly transforming our food systems, we risk falling short of Paris Agreement targets that will most likely be exceeded. To spur progress the Animals for Climate Action Tool is an important instrument. The tool can help decision makers to implement ecosystem-positive policies and transition to truly sustainable animal farming systems.”
Angel Flores, World Animal Protection’s External Affairs Manager, said: “This vital resource shows clearly we cannot tackle one crisis without addressing the other. By safeguarding animal welfare and biodiversity, policymakers can create resilient food systems, fulfil their climate change commitments and secure a thriving planet for future generations. Protecting animals is key to closing the huge emissions gap threatening our climate goals—and this tool can help governments achieve this.“
Sebastian Osborn, Global Policy Manager at Mercy For Animals shared, “Animals for Climate Action offers tangible solutions for countries to integrate sustainable food policies into their climate plans. From plant-based meals in schools to labelling schemes that empower consumers, these measures are proven to reduce environmental impacts while improving health and biodiversity outcomes.”
A video explaining the tool and its uses can be watched below.
For further information, please contact Silvia Mantilla at silvia.mantilla@wfa.org or visit our website at wfa.org.
Organisers
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 wild life. 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.
