The ongoing expansion of factory farming will put achievement of the Paris Climate Agreement goals and a climate-safe future out of reach, a new study by World Animal Protection has revealed.
Researchers analysed the environmental impact of factory farmed chicken and pork in four of the world’s biggest factory farming hot spots.
It was found that emissions from chicken meat in Brazil, China, Netherlands and the US alone are equivalent to keeping 29 million cars on the road for a year
Dr Victor Yamo, the farming campaign manager at World Animal Protection, said: “When people think of the major causes of climate change, they often think about burning fossil fuels for industrial purposes, energy and transport.
“But there’s a hidden climate culprit, and one that could be on your plate – factory farmed meat.”
Every year, 80 billion animals are farmed globally, most on factory farms.
Dr Yamo said factory farming either directly or indirectly through the feed chain, is to blame for the destruction of vital habitats, the displacement of wildlife, and is the largest cause of animal suffering on the planet.
He said “animals are deprived of any quality of life, and instead suffer their entire lives. Many never see sunlight, roam freely in a field, or even have a life free of pain. This is cruelty at its very worst and it must end,” Dr Yamo said.
He added that governments need to step-up to meet commitments to address deforestation and emissions by ending factory farming.
“They need to recognise the damage it does to animals, people and planet. We are running out of time to save our planet, and they are out of excuses not to address it.”
World Animal Protection has asked governments to stop approving new factory farms now by imposing a freeze for a 10-year period.
“Governments are the key player in subsidizing factory farming. They have the power to shift policy and funding decisions away from factory farming in support of humane and sustainable food systems,” the organisation said.
It called for the industry to transition to a humane and sustainable food system by implementing farm animal welfare standards as a minimum, halving production of animal protein by 2040, and phasing out sourcing of monocrops like soya as feed for farmed animals
According to reports focused on Uganda, in 2019, protein from meat was 3.3g per capita per day. Protein from meat of Uganda fell gradually from 4.4g per capita per day in 2010 to 3.3g per capita per day in 2019.
World Animal Protection has called on consumers to choose to eat less meat.
“By consuming fewer animal products and choosing higher welfare products (eat less and better), we can help to safeguard our climate and planet, and protect animal welfare,” World Animal Protection said.