12 months on from COP26, and following one of the hottest summers on record for the UK, and devastating floods seen in Pakistan, it’s evident that the dangers of climate change are real.  

Against this powerful backdrop, this crucial meeting that brings together Governments from across the globe is incredibly important. Countries will have the opportunity to show progress on their pledges to deliver the objectives of the Paris Agreement and move towards the rapid implementation of Paris and the UN Framework for Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC).

Amongst the promises made were pledges to halt deforestation and cut methane emissions. These two areas are particularly linked to animal welfare because:

• 80% of deforestation is associated with agriculture
• 77% of global agricultural land is used to grow and feed livestock
• 40% of methane emissions come from agriculture

Previously food systems have been historically underrepresented at the Conference of Parties (COP) and instead the focus has been on coal and cars. But in order to make a significant change FOUR PAWS believe that Governments should:

• Immediately halt the expansion of/and reduce industrial animal farming
• Limit and strictly regulate the production and importation of animal feed
• Commit to more ambitious methane reduction targets and incorporate the reduction of livestock numbers
• Reallocate arable land to diverse crop production for direct human consumption instead of feed crops, or intensive grazing
• Convert non-arable lands back to their natural states
• Re-orientate public policies to help farmers transition towards agroecological farming systems

In order to make a difference for the global health of the world, Governments must align their food and farming policies with their climate, development, and other international commitments. They must also support the transition to more sustainable food systems and, especially in the Global North, must bring livestock numbers down. 

Whilst at the COP FOUR PAWS will be co-hosting a first-of-its-kind pavilion with Food4Climate where delegates and observers can drop in to speak with hosts or attend panels. This is the first time a pavilion dedicated to food systems has been held at a UNFCCC COP (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at the Conference of the Parties).  

Changes in farming and our daily diets must be at the centre of climate policies and this is why we’re so excited by our partnership with FOOD4CLIMATE. By hosting this first-of-its-kind pavilion we can ensure our demands for consuming less meat and more plant-based food are firmly on the agenda.  

But it doesn’t stop with changing policies; we need to change the way the food business works. By reducing your own meat and dairy consumption, you can do your bit for the environment and send a signal to producers that factory farming is not the future for food.  

If you are interested in trying a more plant-based diet, try one of our tasty recipes to get your taste buds buzzing.  

In the meantime, stay tuned for more updates and don’t forget to let us know what you would ask world leaders if you had the chance by responding to our posting below.  

What would you ask world leaders at COP27?